Alexander Valdez has been a force to be reckoned with on the basketball court this season. The towering center for Alexander has been on an offensive tear, showcasing both his scoring ability and his dominance on the boards.
Despite his incredible performance last Friday, his team suffered a tough loss to United. However, Valdez and his teammates were not deterred by the setback. Instead, the Bulldogs (21-5, 4-1 District 30-6A) used it as motivation for their next game against United South (17-9, 2-3) on Tuesday night.
From the opening tipoff, Valdez picked up where he left off, leading Alexander to a commanding 69-53 victory over United South. The win marked a significant shift in the dynamics between the two teams. At this time last year, United South was the team to beat on its way to the title, but the roles have reversed, and now it seems like everyone is chasing Alexander. The team's renewed energy and determination were evident as they bounced back from their previous loss.
Valdez's impact on the game was undeniable. He finished with 18 points and played nearly the entire game, solidifying his reputation as one of the tallest and strongest centers in the city. His presence in the paint was critical, particularly in rebounding. On both ends of the court, Valdez dominated, securing defensive rebounds and converting offensive boards into valuable second-chance points.
“Second-chance points are key to the team winning,” Valdez said. “We practice a lot on rebounding and scoring, and with the team's height, we take advantage in that area. We make sure to dominate and finish when we get the opportunity to make second-chance points.”
While Valdez's physicality and aggressive playing style are undeniable, he emphasized that the team's success isn't solely about brute force.
“Yes, we play aggressively, but it’s rare when it’s bully ball like today. Coach has made specific plays so we won’t have to go down there and bully each other for an open shot. Instead, we run the play and usually get an open shot," Valdez said.
The team's defensive performance was equally noteworthy. Valdez acknowledged that while his individual defense was “okay but not perfect,” the team's collective effort was exceptional. Holding United South to fewer than 55 points was a testament to their discipline and execution. The Panthers entered the matchup averaging 63.4 points.
“We boxed out, got our rebounds, and rarely let South get second-chance points. Our defense is definitely another key to us winning games. We execute the defensive press and get stops, and we mostly score off those stops, which helps us dominate and get a lead early in the game,” Valdez said.
Reflecting on the differences between Tuesday's win and last Friday's loss, Valdez highlighted the adjustments the team made.
“Not much changed from Friday. We watched film, learned from it, and moved on. One of the things coach told us was that we didn’t execute the defense the way we usually do, but today we most definitely did. The team we played last Friday also hit almost every shot they took. Another thing was our free throw percentage. We missed 11 of them on Friday. We practiced our free throws in the few days we had and ended up with a better percentage tonight," Valdez said.
Valdez also credited the team's success to their focus on fundamentals, particularly footwork.
“Footwork is really important. We make sure our footwork is always on point because we are getting pushed down there and need to know how to post up, stand our ground, and make sure we know where our defender is so we know which way to score. It’s something Coach Valdez implements daily for us posts.”
With Alexander's dominant victory over United South, it's clear the team has no intention of slowing down. Led by the towering and versatile Valdez, they've established themselves as a top contender, and their sights are set firmly on success. If Valdez and his team can maintain their momentum, they'll be a formidable challenge for any opponent standing in their way.
Additional settings for Safari Browser.
