VHS Varsity Boys Basketball Wrap-Up [January 26, 27, 28]
Courtesy of VHS Coaches – Through the first nine games of the 2022-2023 season the Bucs have scored 627 points, while yielding a scant 262 points to their opponents, for an average victory of over 40 points per contest. Those astronomical numbers are a result of a good team playing inferior competition thus far. It was also unlikely that such a streak would last an entire season. Indeed, the streak was bound to be put to the test at the West Valley Ice Jam Basketball Tournament – a round robin format tournament that featured three 4A teams, including two of the dominant programs in the state this season.
The Bucs schedule for the tournament began with Dimond on Thursday, followed by Palmer on
Friday, and then a matchup against host West Valley Saturday afternoon. The premiere
matchup of the tournament was clearly the Friday night matchup of the West Valley Wolfpack
vs. the Dimond Lynx. (spoiler alert: that game did not disappoint and ultimately could go down
as the game of the year)
Looking at the schedule, the Bucs coaching staff hoped to catch Dimond in a “trap game” where
they would be focusing on their opponent the following night, and to get West Valley a day after
a big victory for their program – where they would be content and less aggressive. Alas, neither
of those situations played out in the favor of the Buccaneers.
Thursday, January 26th: Valdez 38, Dimond 64
The Bucs tipped off against the Dimond Lynx in the third overall game of the Ice Jam. Clearly
outsized, an emphasis for the Bucs was to finish a defensive stand with a rebound and to keep
the two Dimond “bigs” from getting offensive rebounds and multiple possessions. Another
emphasis was ball security and to limit live ball turnovers.
Statistically speaking, the Bucs did an adequate job in both rebounding and turnovers. Where
the Bucs performed poorly, or abnormally, was offensively. Specifically, converting shots they
are accustomed to making. In the first quarter alone there were 4 opportunities within the paint
that were missed. That trend continued throughout the game, as it appeared the size and
length of the Dimond defenders were causing the Bucs to alter their shots. Case in point – the
Bucs shot an abysmal 4/21 (19%) from beyond the arc, and 12/30 (40%) from within. Instead of
creating contact and finishing, the Bucs avoided contact. This was evident in the fact that the
Bucs shot 4 free throws the entire game – and two of them were due to a technical foul on
Dimond.
Ultimately, the Bucs competed hard and did not get run off the court, but Dimond continued to
execute and slowly pulled away. The first quarter ended with a 17-7 Buccaneer deficit; the Bucs
faced a 15-point deficit at the intermission. The trend held true in the second half, as Dimond
pulled away to a 64-38 victory.
Payton Gage led the Bucs with 14 points, followed by Hunter Mathews with 9 and Dillon Fowler
with 7. Nick Alfaro successfully drew an offensive foul.
Friday, January 27th: Valdez 64 , Palmer 53
Transition points were a point of emphasis entering Friday’s contest against the Palmer Moose,
as the Bucs scored a grand total of 0 against Dimond the night before. From the onset, it was
apparent that the Bucs responded to the coaches' challenges. Employing their half-court
trapping defense, the Bucs roared out to a 14-0 lead and an early 24-8 advantage after the first
quarter. Defensive adjustments made by Palmer frustrated the Bucs, slowing their offensive
productions significantly. Even still, the Bucs took a 35-24 advantage into the half, which is a
margin that would remain the duration of the game as the Bucs secured a 64-53 victory.
The Bucs controlled most of the statistical categories, including 15 points in transition and 21
points off of turnovers. The Bucs shooting showed up from long distance as well, shooting 5/15
(33%) from three-point land.
Payton Gage led the Bucs with 23 points, followed by Bryce Tucker with 18. Hunter Mathews
successfully drew an offensive foul.
Saturday, January 28th: Valdez 26, West Valley 64
Coming off of a heartbreaking loss the night before in which they controlled most of the game,
the West Valley Wolfpack were intent on getting another winning streak started. The Bucs were
the team that stood in their way. At least hypothetically and on paper. As it transpired on the
court, the Bucs did not present much of a threat. Perhaps being housed in meat-locker type
temperatures all weekend impacted the Buccaneer shooters. Either way, the Wolfpack limited
the Bucs to single-digit scoring in all four quarters.
The Buccaneer defense – a staple of the team and culture- yielded a season-high 27 first
quarter points to the red hot Wolfpack. While effort was acceptable, the overall atmosphere of
the game was tomblike. Having fallen behind big early, the Bucs were unable to make up any
ground and found themselves on the wrong side of the “mercy rule” running clock in the fourth
quarter, ultimately losing by a 64-26 margin.
Payton Gage was the only Buccaneer that scored in double figures, finishing with 13. Jarrett
Gage netted 5, while Hunter Mathews chipped in 4; two Buccaneer starters finished with zero
points. Bryce Tucker and Dillon Fowler successfully drew an offensive foul.
Notes:
Payton Gage and Bryce Tucker were named to the West Valley Ice Jam All-Tournament Team.
Upcoming games:
The Bucs travel to Anchorage this week to take on Anchorage Christian and Grace Christian in
a deity duo of games.