Big third quarter leads Susitna Valley past Anderson

HOUSTON — Mike Matthews, the head coach of the Susitna Valley boys basketball team, is ready to get his squad back on the court and in mid-season form.

“We haven’t played any basketball in two weeks,” Matthews said after his team’s 57-32 win over Anderson at Houston Middle School on Saturday.

Matthews said he still has a few players out of state enjoying their holiday vacation, and most of his players didn’t practice the winter break.

With all of that considered, Matthews felt his squad was a bit stagnant in the first half. But powered by their play on defense, the Rams exploded for 25 points in the third.

“We came out after hafltime, and put the defensive pressure on,” Matthews said. “That fires them up.”

Sophomore Paxton Matthews led the Rams with 23 points in the win. Senior Grant Hicks added 11.

James Hollis led Anderson with 19 points in the game, pacing a Grizzlies squad that featured only five players in uniform. Hollis was also one of only two players to score for Anderson. Sean McKenzie added 13.

Su Valley improved to 3-2 win the win. The Rams scored a 61-35 win over Nenana and a 51-35 victory over Wasilla Lakes Christian School during the first weekend of the season, and were swept by the Bethel Warriors in Bethel in late December.

Su Valley’s win over Anderson marked one of five contests designated as home games for the Rams. Following the 2007 fire that destroyed Susitna Valley Junior/Senior High School, the Rams athletic squads have had to scramble to find temporary homes. This season, the temporary home of the SVHS basketball squad is Houston Middle School.

The Rams continue their road-heavy 2007-08 schedule with the three-day Tri-Valley Tournament next week in Healy.

Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.

Susitna Valley 57, Anderson 32

Saturday, Houston Middle School

Anderson 2-8-11-11—32

Susitna Valley 12-10-25-8—57

Anderson (32) — Hollis 19, McKenzie 13.

Susitna Valley (57) — Matthews 23, Kelly 8, Smith 5, Hicks 11, Hamler 2, Curtis 8.