Buc Fans,
Please see the coaches summaries for Basketball, Nordic Ski and Esports. This week the Aca Deca Team will be traveling to Anchorage for their State competition on Wednesday, March 1st @ breakfast break. The basketball and cheer teams will be traveling to Delta on Friday, March 3rd @ 8:00 a.m. for their last Aurora Conference games. When reading the Esports summary you might be interested who is on the Smash Brothers Team and the Madden Team. Here are the names:
The Smash Brothers Team
Braiden Williams
Ethan Weber
Gray Odencrans
The Madden Team
Isaiah Gamon
Go Bucs!
VHS Nordic Ski
ASAA State Championships
2023
8 Valdez High School Nordic Skiers competed in the 2022-2023 ASAA State Nordic Ski Competition last weekend at Kincaid Park in Anchorage . Elaina Hanson and Morgan Hamilton skied for the Bucs in the individual girl’s races. The 6 Buccaneer boys who skied for the state competition were Cole Wadsworth, Rafe Carathurs, Blake Roosma, Elias Wisner, and Gabe Caruthers. Teams from schools throughout the state brought their six best male and female skiers to compete in the 3-day event.
Day one of the state completion was a classic technique interval start. Conditions for the race changed dramatically before the race. During warm ups it was calm and cold but by the start of the race there were bone chilling winds blowing icy snow all over the course and spectators. This made for some cold and challenging racing for the skiers. Boys were up first with a 7.5k interval start. Our first 3 boys skiers Gabe Caruthers, Ian Tiura, and Elias Wisner all were skiing in their first ever state competition. Blake Roosma, Rafe Caruthers, and Cole Wadsworth were all looking to improve on the places from last year’s state competition in Fairbanks. Senior Elaina Hanson was ready to end her ski career on a high. Sophomore Morgan Hamilton skied in her first state races in the 5k. Facing the gusting winds made this race an even tougher battle with poles blowing out of place and a 300 meter straight stretch to the finish line directly into the wind. But the scene at the finish did look cool as senior and first year skier Ian Tiura battled through the wind gusts and earned him a tough looking cover shot on the ADN Newspaper. Ian is a first year senior skier that we wish we could keep longer. He has come a long way in a short amount of time and well earned his spot on the state team. The bucs showed great toughness to ski their hardest on a tough course in tough conditions. However, we were all looking forward to the forecasted blue skies and sun predicted for Friday’s race.
Day two was the beautiful race day we were hoping for. Skiers took on a Freestyle technique mass start. Mass starts are always tricky especially with skate skiing. 7.5k for the girls and 10k for the boys. 101 girls lined up for the first race. Senior, 3 year captain, 4 year “wax wizard” award winner Elaina Hanson skied great in her last high school race. Elaina has been a joy to coach and watch her skiing improve over the years. She is a great team leader who is always prepared, works hard, and always has great encouragement and sportsmanship. Elaina took 6th place out of the Division 2 girls and had a 7.5k time of 26:26 which was 10:46 faster than her 7.5k time from just two weeks ago at regionals! Morgan Hamilton also saw amazing improvement from her regional time and improved an amazing 12:14 off her time! The Success for the Bucs didn’t stop there, the boys were up next for their 10k race. The boys had a great warm up and were feeling ready to race with wind free, blue skies, and fast skis. 110 boys took off in the mass start and thankfully got through it without pile ups and broken poles like last year’s race. Junior Rafe Caruthers placed 9th overall out of the Division 2 skiers and just like the girls team, every single boys skier dropped significant time off their regional race. Cole Wadsworth dropped 9:45, Ian Tiura 6:31,Rafe Caruthers 7:04, Blake Roosma 3:53, Elias Wisner 8:20, and Gabe Caruthers 10:18. Our team had a combined time loss of 1:09:08 from our regional race just 2 weeks ago! Great job bucs!
Day 3 was a 4x5k relay. The first 2 legs of the relay are classic technique and the last 2 legs are skate technique. The 4 boys representing Valdez were Rafe Caruthers, Cole Wadsworth, Gabe Caruthers, and Elias Wisner. Rafe had a great first classic leg recording a great 5k time of 15:01. Cole skied a strong second leg and had a PR skiing his fastest 5k 16:54. Cole is another senior that we will miss on the team. Cole won the “Pete Toye Toughness” award last year and continues to improve in his second year of skiing. Cole is a leader that is always kind and works hard every day. We’ll miss him. Freshman Gabe had an amazing first year of skiing which earned him a spot on the relay. He completed the first skate leg of the relay with a fast time of 17:11. Elias skied the anchor leg of the relay in his first year skiing. He had a fast 4th leg of the race holding onto our lead over Bartlett who finished 30 seconds behind. Overall a fast and fun relay to end a great weekend of racing.
Fantastic way to end the season! Way to go Buccaneer skiers!
JV Boys Basketball Vs. Monroe
This weekend the Buccaneers hosted their final home games of the season against the Monroe Rams. Friday night the Bucs implemented a new zone defense which worked brilliantly. Valdez forced a number of turnovers and managed to hold Monroe to only 2 points after one quarter, while scoring 12 of their own. In the 2nd quarter, Monroe made some adjustments and managed to go on a scoring run, but Valdez held on to a 26-21 lead going into halftime.
In the third quarter, Valdez continued to add to their lead, outscoring the Rams by 4 to lead 37-28. In the final quarter, Monroe started to go on a scoring run. Some hot shooting from 3 as well as aggressive drives to the basket resulting in free throws had the rams take the lead with seconds remaining. Valdez attempted a last second shot to win the game but ultimately fell short and ended up losing 47-48. Jarrett Gage and Tino Tucker lead the way scoring with 18 and 11 points.
Saturday afternoon the Bucs came with renewed focus against their opponent. After starting the game in a 0-6 deficit, Valdez went on a 12-0 scoring run with great ball movement and hard cuts to the basket to take the lead.
In the second quarter Valdez had some struggles running their offense and a few defensive lapses which lead to Monroe having their highest scoring quarter of the weekend (20). Valdez trailed at the half 21-26.
The third quarter was a battle for both teams. The Bucs worked hard to generate shots close to the basket which resulted in many free throws. Valdez trailed 35-37 entering the fourth quarter.
The Bucs kept cool heads as the game came down to the wire once again, generating great shots through their motion offense and playing stifling zone defense. Raising to the level of physicality being allowed, Valdez drew many fouls, and again, were able to generate free throws, paired with a couple timely 3pt shots made by Romen Weber took the lead with seconds remaining in the game. At this point, with Valdez controlling the ball, Monroe would be forced to extend the game by fouling and the Bucs made their free throws to seal the win 54-49. Gage and Tucker lead the way for the Bucs again with 16 and 13 points.
The JV Bucs end their successful season this weekend with two road games against the Delta Huskies.
VHS Varsity Boys Basketball Wrap-Up [February 24 & 25]
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The Buccaneers welcomed the Monroe Catholic Rams to town for a two game stint over the weekend. The Rams are always a tough opponent and did not disappoint in that respect again this year, entering the weekend ranked in the top five in 4A basketball.
Saturday night was also Senior Night – the final home game of the 2022-2023 season. Senior Night is designed to not only recognize the student-athlete’s for their contributions on the court the past four years but also to provide a venue for the players to acknowledge and thank those that have loved and supported them over the course of their high school career. The five Seniors on the boy’s varsity basketball team are (in no particular order): Dillon Fowler, Allen Watson, Bryce Tucker, Payton Gage, and Hunter Mathews.
Friday, February 24th: Valdez 38, Monroe Catholic 57
On Friday night the Bucs jumped out to an early 2-0 lead after a Payton Gage layup that was facilitated by a Bryce Tucker assist. It was a short-lived lead, however, as Monroe converted a 3-pointer on the next possession. The Bucs would not be able to establish another lead, or even tie the score, the remainder of the game.
They trailed 15-7 after the first quarter, due in large part to gathering zero offensive rebounds and not attempting a single free throw in the first stanza. During the second quarter, the Bucs were more active on the offensive boards (snagging 4), attempted more FG’s, and converted two free throws – but were only able to net 11 points in the quarter. Meanwhile, Monroe chipped in 16 in the same frame and entered the half with a 31-18 lead.
The Buccaneers needed to put together a dominant third quarter in order to close the contest and make the game close going into the final quarter. Unfortunately, they were unable to do so. The Bucs shot a dismal 1-for-8 from the field in the third quarter, scoring a meager 5 points, while yielding 16 to the Rams. Instead of a competitive game entering the fourth, the Bucs faced a 44-23 deficit and an improbable comeback against the hot-shooting Rams. While the Bucs outscored the Rams in the 4th, they ultimately suffered defeat by a score of 57-38.
Statistically speaking, much of the contest was close between the two teams: points off turnovers (12, 11), points in the paint (18, 20), and turnovers (13, 12) to name a few. The three categories that stand out the most are: rebounds, shot attempts, and shooting percentage. Monroe Catholic registered 17 rebounds compared to the Bucs’ 8. For the game the Buccaneers shot 14/41 from the field – including 2 for 12 (17%) beyond the arc. Conversely, the Rams went 22/55 from the field – including 12 for 29 (41%) from 3-point territory.
No Buccaneer registered double figure scoring, but all 9 rostered and eligible Bucs entered the game and recorded a positive statistic. Dillon Fowler successfully drew 2 offensive fouls, while Payton Gage also drew one.
Saturday, February 25th: Valdez 36, Monroe Catholic 52
Unlike Friday, the Bucs did not jump out to an early lead on Saturday. Much like the night before, however, the Bucs were unable to tie or lead the entire game. The game script was eerily similar, with the Bucs bookending acceptable quarters in the first and fourth and exhibiting anemic offense during the second and third quarter.
The Bucs ended the first quarter down 13-8 and well within striking distance until an abysmal offensive performance in the second quarter – going 0-for-9 from the field and only being able to score on 3 free throws. Despite the anemic offense, the game was not completely out of reach entering the half, as the Bucs trailed by a score of 25-11.
The continued poor offensive showing in the third quarter appeared to have sealed the Bucs’ fate, though, as they ended the third quarter down by a margin of 25 (42-17). Or did it? The Bucs exhibited a great deal of resolve and determination from the onset of the fourth quarter – outscoring the Rams in the quarter and forcing 13 Monroe turnovers in that same frame. The Bucs ultimately fell by a score of 52-36, but the frenetic pace and energy during the quasi-comeback in the fourth quarter left the crowd a bit energized and provided positive takeaways for the Bucs in what was otherwise a disappointing weekend on the hardwood.
Payton Gage led the Buccaneers in scoring with 19 points. No other Buc scored in double figures, but all 9 rostered players entered the game and provided a positive statistic. Dillon Fowler drew the assignment to guard the Monroe “big” for the second night in a row and collected three offensive fouls taken on Saturday – making 5 for the weekend.
Senior Recognition:
As mentioned previously, Senior Night is designed to recognize those Seniors moving on from the program, and to allow those players to express their gratitude and sentiments to those that they have relied upon and counted on throughout their careers – namely their respective families.
Congratulations to the five young men that played the game they enjoy in front of a home crowd for the final time. May you remember that occasion and your high school basketball career fondly when you look back on it years from now. It’s exciting and gratifying to watch you grow and mature both on and off the court.
Upcoming games:
The Buccaneers next travel to Delta Junction to take on Aurora Conference opponents Delta Huskies. The pair of games represent the final regular-season games of the season and will determine the seeding the Buccaneers have entering the Aurora Conference Regional Tournament held March 9th, 10th, and 11th.
VHS Esports
We had an exciting first week of our Esports season.
The Smash Ultimate team competed against the Chugiak Mustangs this week. The Bucs started the first series well, winning the first game. However, Chugiak countered and took the next two games.
In the second series of games the Bucs put up a fight, taking both games into the final moments. It was close, but the Mustangs won both games in the second series.
Chugiak won the overall match 2 – 0
Next week we have a tough match against Soldotna.
