VHS Weekend Wrap-Up Basketball – March 5, 2018
Boys Varsity Basketball – Coach Hinkle
Valdez vs. Kodiak Weekend Wrap-Up
Friday (March 2)-
The Buccaneers basketball program traveled to Kodiak for games this weekend- the first such trip that anyone in the Valdez boys program could recall. After taking in some local sights, touring the USCG airbase, and learning a bit of the WWII history of Kodiak Island, the Buccaneer boys got to business early in the game- taking a 33-14 lead into halftime. The Bears were able to keep pace in the second half due to effective 3-point shooting (10-of-26 for the game), but the Buccaneers ultimately walked away with a 64-48 victory.
The Buccaneers were led statistically by Bennett Hinkle (18 points, 5 assists, 5 rebounds, and 5 steals), Logan Heckathorn (17 points, including 3-of-4 from behind the arc), and Ike Watson (12 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 steals). Derek Berg and Aidan Hinkle each drew an offensive foul. As a team, the Buccaneers had over a 2:1 assist to turnover ratio [17 assists, 8 turnovers].
Saturday (March 3)-
Saturday marked the regular season finale for the Bucs, and they found themselves in a tight game early on. Playing in their last home game of their high school careers, the senior-laden Bears put on an impressive shooting display to start the game (sinking 6 first half 3-point baskets). The Bucs were able to counter will dominant interior play and trailed by one (27-26) at the half. Both teams scored 16 points in the third quarter – with the Bears sinking 4 more 3-point baskets and the Bucs continuing to dominant the interior.
In the fourth quarter, the Buccaneers’ willingness to drive to the basket and get the ball to the post began to pay dividends, as the Bears found themselves in foul trouble and unable to convert any 3-point attempts, going 0-for-7 in the quarter. Down 11 with about 3:30 to go in the game, the Bears employed the Hack-a-Buc technique and repeatedly sent the Bucs to the free throw line. Bennett Hinkle and Jalen Freeman were the primary beneficiaries of the strategy – ultimately attempting 24 free throws between them (making 19). For the game, the Bucs attempted 31 free throws, converting 23. The strategy served to prolong the game, resulted in 4 Bears fouling out, and paved the way for a 67-49 Valdez victory.
Five Buccaneer players contributed in the scoring column (Bennett Hinkle with 22 points, Jalen Freeman with 17, Ike Watson with 14, Derek Berg with 8, and Logan Heckathorn with 6). Defensively, Bennett Hinkle registered 5 steals, Ike Watson snagged 11 rebounds, and Logan Heckathorn grabbed 8 rebounds and drew 2 offensive fouls.
NOTES:
- The Buccaneers enter the Aurora Conference Regional Tournament as the #2 seed, and will play the winner of the #3 (Eielson Ravens) vs. #6 (Galena Hawks) game at 5:00 pm Thursday.
Varsity Girls Basketball – Coach Fleming
The Lady Bucs had a good weekend in their split with Kodiak, in Friday night’s game the Valdez played well
coming out on top 49-40. Bobbi Mott lead all scorers with 25 followed by Sydney Johnson’s 11 points and 15
rebounds. Saturday’s game was a little different, to start the game the ladies just weren’t executing on either
end of the floor. Going down 16-5, a margin they just couldn’t come back from even after winning the final 3
quarters final score 39-44. It did give us the opportunity to work on a few items prior to regionals and to know
what to focus on this week.
JV Girls Basketball – Coach Hill
The JV girls had a great last trip to Kodiak. We only took five players; Marianne Prax, Savannah Cockerham, Sophia Palomar, Rylie King and Shaylah Toro. The trip was a first for me and I enjoyed the beautiful Island with over a hundred bald eagles in one location, at the dump waiting for food.
Our games were fun and exciting on Friday winning 31 to 26 over Kodiak. We kept the lead all game and Kodiak kept it close to the end. Our defense, like all season, was great but we had a tough time scoring.
Saturday we did a much better job of scoring, putting up 43 points to 21 for Kodiak. Ally Seiber was high scorer both days putting in 10 on Friday and 13 on Saturday.
It has been a great season for the J.V. team. I enjoyed coaching the team, not because they worked so hard but because they had great attitudes.. Thanks to all the players for their hard work and the parents for supporting the team this season.
JV Boys Basketball – Coach Lee Chadwick
We had a great weekend to finish our season in Kodiak. I heard several students talking about being on their first island, and other novel comments. The players found Kodiak to be hospitable and unique. We had the opportunity to tour the Kodiak Coast Guard Base, and climb in their aircraft and such.
We were successful on the court as well, competing against a very quick Kodiak team. We won Friday by a score of 61-50. Raymond Martel led the scoring with 18, followed by Kyler Labonte with 16.
On Saturday, Kyler Labonte made two free throws with 9 seconds left to put us ahead by one point. On the next possession after a failed Kodiak attempt, they again fouled Kyler where he again made both free throws, ;leading to the winning score of 47-44. Labonte led all scorers with 17.
