Su Valley Girls Headed to State Basketball Tournament

Susitna-Valley Boys and Girls Basketball teams battled with interior conference schools this past weekend in Tok.  The Boys team lost two consecutive games in the Region-2 Conference Tournament, knocking them out of the finals. The Girls team placed second in the Region contest, allowing them to advance to the State Tournament this weekend, which will be held in Anchorage.

Su-Valley Boys were seeded second in the Regional tournament, boasting an impressive 18-5 record for the season.  However, Team Captain, Bryson Jolley, suffered an ankle injury in the final game of regular season play.  Su-Valley Athletic Director, Jimmy Sickler, feels Jolley’s absence was costly. 

“Our Boys did lose their top scorer and one of our top defenders and rebounders for the season, which has left a big hole in them going into Conference.”

Su-Valley Girls arrived at the tournament undefeated in conference play.  They were seeded first in the Region 2 bracket.  But the number two seed, Glennallen, triumphed and brought home the first place trophy.  Sickler feels Glennallen will continue to be a tough competitor at State. 

“They play really tough defense.  They’re always in games because of their ability to play defense and kind of attack, and they’re very physical, so they’ll be tough for anybody that plays them.”

A number of Su-Valley Athletes received awards.  India Roderick, Emma Kehoe, Alana Barron and Bethany Kehoe were named to the All-Conference Girls Team.  Bryson Jolley and Tristan Shelby were named to the All-Conference Boys Team.

The State Basketball Tournament will be held March 17 through March 19th at the Alaska Airlines Sports Center in Anchorage.  The Susitna-Valley Girls will tip-off at 9:30am, this Thursday, against Metlakatla.