Valentine Pirate Basketball returns
By Coach Lonnie Flippen, VISD
The Valentine Pirates are back. For the first time since 2011, Valentine will field a high school girl’s basketball team. For several years the girls played on co-ed teams with the boys and played against other boys teams in the area and were quite competitive. The Pirates did not field a high school team the last two years so the young ladies who are committed to playing this year have very little experience, for the most part, and almost no experience as teammates.
The Pirates took the floor on Monday evening and played in a controlled scrimmage against the Lady Indians from Fort Davis. Both teams had running ten minute quarters to work on offense and defense prior to playing two eight minute quarters under game-like conditions. While on offense in the ten minute quarter, the Pirates scored 12 points while holding the Indians to 6 points. The Indians outscored the Pirates 15 to 12 in the two eight minute quarters.
Overall, the Lady Pirates played abou t as well as could be expected with this being their first opportunity to play as a team. All six Pirates scored. Senior, Jessie Garcia led the Pirates with her 8 points. Juniors, Evan Means added 4, followed by Francis Sanchez with her 3 along with Lizett Rey’s three points. Freshmen, Jaymie Sanchez scored four and Samantha Kuhlman added two more points.
The Pirates did a great job rebounding and several fans commented on their hustle. They were not afraid to get on the floor and fight for loose balls. There is certainly room for improvement, but with the positive attitude and work ethic of these young ladies, success should follow.
The Pirates travel to Balmorhea this Friday, November 3, where they will meet the Lady Cougars from Dell City in another controlled scrimmage before opening the season next week in Presidio where they will play the 3A Lady Blue Devil’s JV girl’s team at 4:30.
The Pirates will host their annual tournament next Saturday, November 11, and will open play against the Lady Eagle’s JV team from Van Horn at 8:00 a.m. Other teams who are expected to play include girl’s team from Presidio and Marfa. Boy’s teams include teams from Van Horn, Marfa,and Presidio. Marathon boy’s will also bring a team to Valentine. This may be the first team that Marathon has had in a last few years, also.
Everyone is invited to come out and enjoy a full day of basketball action at one of the oldest continual basketball tournament in West Texas.
