VHS Weekend Wrap-Up – January 22, 2018
Nordic Ski – Coaches Timi Miner & Mel Koontz
The Valdez High School Nordic Team hosted another town race on Saturday, January 20th. The race included both skate and classic techniques in a variety of distances. Eric Auten came in first overall, skiing a 10k classic in 31.32.
Buc’s senior Ben Swanson came in second with a time of 35.43 for a 10k classic. Senior Josten Carlson also skied the 10k classic with a finish of 41.49. Junior Rowan Miller skied a 7.5k classic and finished in 40.16. Senior Tolgonia Nasipbekova completed a 4k classic ski in 34.35. Ben Stolen finished the 10k classic race in 43.09.
Sarah Histand led the way for the skate ski race, finishing the 10k route in third place overall with a time of 37.03. Josh Miller completed the 7k skate route in 40.40.
Thank you everyone for supporting the Nordic Ski Team. A special thanks to Marcie Robertson for putting in the extra hours to groom our trails and to Mark Provost for keeping the team snowing when conditions were less than desirable. Come join the team February 3rd for our next last Town Race.
Boys Varsity Basketball – Coach Todd Wegner
12th Annual Dean Cummings Tournament Wrap-Up
This weekend marked the 12th Annual Dean Cummings basketball tournament, held @ Delta High School, and was also the 3rd consecutive year that the VHS boys have participated in the tournament. This year the boys bracket included teams from 2A, 3A, and 4A from various parts of Alaska. The 8-team field consisted of: Delta (3A), Eagle River (4A), Homer (3A), Valdez (3A), Nome (3A), Glennallen (2A), Hutchison (3A), and Galena (3A).
Thursday: vs. Glennallen
The Buccaneers came out on Thursday morning (1030 am) with an intensity and efficiency that the Panthers were unable to match, establishing a 40-14 lead at half time. Each Buccaneer on the roster logged several minutes of playing time and contributed statistically in the 70-31 victory.
The Buccaneers had four players in double-digit scoring (Isaac Watson and Bennett Hinkle with 13, Jalen Freeman with 11, and Tyler Mann with 10). The team shot 60% (6-for-10) from behind the 3-point arc and forced the Panthers into 21 turnovers while committing just 6 themselves.
Friday: vs Eagle River
The Buccaneers jumped out to an early lead on Friday vs. Eagle River, leading 14-4 after the first quarter. Eagle River used a bank-in 3-pointer at the buzzer to close the gap to 30-21 at half-time.
The game was physical from the onset and continued that way in the second half. Each team found itself with personnel in foul trouble. All told, there were 36 fouls called in the game and 41 free throws attempted.
The Buccaneers again forced 22 turnovers, but committed 21 themselves.
Bennett Hinkle dropped in 22 points, while Jalen Freeman contributed 14 and Logan Heckathorn chipped in 9 as the Buccaneers beat Eagle River 55-48.
Saturday: vs. Delta
Saturday night’s title game pitted Valdez against the home-town hosts Delta Huskies. The Aurora Conference matchup was played in front of a raucous and near-capacity crowd.
The Buccaneers entered the game with an emphasis on defense, and used it to get off to an early 18-11 first quarter start. Delta sank a 3-pointer at the buzzer to close the half-time gap to 31-26.
The Buccaneers continued their stellar defense in the 3rd quarter and dominated the Huskies, outscoring them 24-3 to take a commanding 55-29 lead into the 4th quarter and then, ultimately, a 65-40 victory.
Each Buccaneer on the roster played in the championship game. The Buccaneers held the Huskies to 15-for 50 (30 %)shooting, including 5 of 23 (21 %) from behind the arc and forced 20 turnovers. Micah Helkenn was high-scorer for the Delta Huskies with 10 points, well below his season scoring average. He was held scoreless the second half.
Bennett Hinkle led the Buccaneers with 22 points, while Logan Heckathorn poured in 16 (including 4-of-4 shooting behind the arc), and Jalen Freeman contributed 15. Isaac Watson grabbed 10 rebounds in the contest, and Valdez outrebounded the Huskies 36-25. The Bucs also drew 4 charging fouls against the Huskies.
Summary:
The weekend marked a successful one for the entire team, as they played cohesive and united basketball while also meeting some team goals. Specifically, the team strives to hold opponents to under 50 points a game. (Valdez opponents averaged 39.6 points a game during the Dean Cummings Tournament)
Additionally, this is the first championship in the 8-team bracket format that the boys have won in the Coach Wegner-era.
Individual awards were evaluated by a panel of tournament personnel and announced after the championship game. In addition to the all-tournament team, there was a tournament MVP and a best-defensive player award issues.
Logan Heckathorn was named to the All-Tournament team, Jalen Freeman was named Defensive Player of the Tournament, and Bennett Hinkle was named Tournament MVP.
The Dean Cummings Tournament touts itself as more than just a basketball tournament, and includes an annual semi-formal dinner on the Friday night of the tournament. During this gathering the coaches and athletes are honored, as is the namesake of the tournament (Dean Cummings) for his contribution to Delta-area sports. Unique to the Dean Cummings tournament is the annual keynote speaker. This year, Coach Wegner was given the honor to serve in that role.
The Valdez High School boys basketball program represented the City of Valdez, VHS, their parents, and themselves well throughout the weekend. Certainly on the court with their performance, but even more importantly with their off-court behavior. Multiple times each day the coaching staff was approached by other coaches, random Delta residents, by-standers, or tournament personnel and complimented on how they enjoyed the Valdez Buccaneer’s work ethic, teamwork, politeness, and public demeanor. THAT is the rewarding part of coaching. Good job, boys.
Girls Varsity Basketball – Doug Fleming
Game 1 the Lady Bucs began the 1st quarter strong and ready to play taking a 15-7 lead. Once the 2nd quarter started Glennallen came out to play. At the half it was all tied up at 21. After half the girls came out and settled down for a 54-43 pint win. Valdez was led by Bobbi Mott with 18 points and 8 rebounds, Ashley Ramoth played a strong game coming in with 17 points. Sydney Johnson had a great game on the boards pulling down 16 boards.
Game 2 was played against an Aurora conference competitor Galena Hawks. The Lady Bucs wanted to come out and make a statement against the Hawks, from the tip to the final buzzer the Hawks knew Valdez came to play. The Bucs jumped into their full court press from the tip and stayed in it for the rest of the game. This and the Bucs size caused problems for the Hawks. The ladies showed patience and poise at both ends of the floor in the win. The team again was lead in scoring by Bobbi Mott with 25 points as well as pulling down 9 rebounds. Sydney Johnson had another huge game on the boards pulling down 16 rebounds as well as scoring 14 points. Defensively Ashley Ramoth and Jade Watts combined for 11 steals.
Championship Game was played against the Nome Nanooks. The lady Bucs again played a great game defensively against the Nanooks, but this time we played man to man something that we do not do all the time. Offensively the Bucs were led by Bobbi Mott 17, 12 of those coming off of 3 pointers. Sydney Johnson had 9 points and 14 rebounds and Ally Seiber had 9 points as well and 7 rebounds.
Dean Cummings Tournament Champions
Bobbi Mott Tournament MVP
Ashley Ramoth Tournament Defensive MVP
Sydney Johnson All Tournament
Ally Seiber 2nd in the 3 point contest