Submitted by VHS Boys Basketball Coach
For the final leg of their 3 tournaments in 3 weeks tour, the Valdez Buccaneers travelled to Bethel to take part in their annual Donlin Gold Invitational.
The first game for Valdez was a rematch of their Nome-Tournament opponent: the Unalakleet Wolfpack.
In similar fashion to their prior meeting, Valdez jumped out to an early lead and never looked back. Scoring 20 points in both quarters of the first half took the Bucs to a 40-15 lead.
The trend continued in the second half allowing for everyone to get more valuable game time. The high scorers for Valdez were Owen Watson with 17 and Jarrett Gage with 16.
On day two, the Bucs matched up against the Homer Mariners.
Still carrying some momentum from Thursday’s contest, the Bucs again jumped to an early lead that would hold throughout the game.
The Bucs offense poured in over 20 points again in both quarters of the first half and their smothering half court trap contained the Mariners to single digit scoring. The Bucs lead at half 42-15.
In the second half of the game Valdez was able to again get everyone game time for the last 15 minutes. The high scorers for the game were Tino Tucker with 22 and Owen Watson with 13.
Saturday night the Bucs matched up against the hometown Bethel Warriors in a prime time championship game.
Valdez began the game with the defensive intensity that has become the identity of the team, running their signature half court trap. They were able to hold the Warriors to just 5 first quarter points.
Offensively the Bucs were able to generate some great looks at the basket both from the paint and from beyond the arc. Unfortunately, Valdez was not able to convert a high percentage of those looks early which lead to an early 4-7 deficit.
The defensive pressure from both teams continued into the second quarter and both teams were even scoring. Going into the half the Bucs trailed 16-19.
Coming out of the half, the Bucs regained their offensive focus and had their largest scoring outburst of the game with 19 points which took them to a 35-27 lead heading into the final period.
The Bucs held the Warriors to single digit scoring in each of the final two periods while scoring another 15 in the fourth to solidify their win in front of a great Bethel crowd.
With a 3-0 record in tournament play, Valdez earned the championship win. Jarrett Gage and Tino Tucker lead the Bucs in scoring with 16 and 22 respectively. Tucker and Gage were also named to the all tournament team.
Valdez’s next games take place at home against the Galena Hawks.