In 2023 Southern Valley qualified for the state tournament for the first time since 2010. They fell to GACC in the first round 67-46. Friday morning, it was a rematch between the two squads, and this time it was #3 Southern Valley who came away with the win in semifinal action. Southern Valley took the tight matchup over the #2 seeded Bluejays, 34-29. With the win, Southern Valley moves on to their first-ever championship game.
In the first quarter, Southern Valley started strong, going on an 8-0 run in the first four minutes resulting in a timeout for GACC. Late in the quarter though, GACC was able to slow down the Eagle attack a little, and going into the second period it was 8-6.
Remember when we mentioned how it was a quick turnaround for both of these teams after playing the nightcap? Well, Head Coach of the Eagles Richard McDonald subbed early in the game to help keep the starters fresh. It was again a complete team effort.
GACC scored early in the second which tied things up at 8-8. The teams stayed close throughout the rest of the quarter. It was 14-14 going to halftime.
In the third period, Southern Valley went on a 5-0 run and led 21-16. The Bluejays went on a 5-0 run of their own and tied it up at 21-21. After the third period, it was 24-23 in favor of the Eagles.
In the fourth quarter, it was a battle just like the previous three. GACC took the lead at 25-24 with seven minutes to go in the fourth quarter. The teams were tied up at 27-27 with 5:31 to go in the fourth.
And then it happened.
An incredibly smart and high-IQ basketball play occurred when Ann Bose caught the defense napping, tossed it off the defender's back on the inbounds play, got the ball back, put it off the glass, and was fouled resulting in a three-point play.
Check out the play below.
This made it 30-27 and the momentum was on the Eagles side for the rest of the game as they secured the win.
For GACC, Jocelynn Skoda led the scoring with 16 points and Kelsey Steffen had seven. GACCis 22-3 and will play in the 3rd and 4th place game on Saturday morning at 11:00 A.M. at Lincoln East. Their opponent will be St. Mary's.
Southern Valley is now 28-1 and had a big bounce-back game from Ann Bose with 14 points and Adi Hunt had double-figures with 11 points.
We caught up with Adi after the game for an interview.
Southern Valley will play #1 seed Pender. Pender beat St. Mary's 48-39 in the semifinals. Earlier this season, Pender fell to GACC, their only loss, 62-55 in overtime.
The title game will be at 9:00 A.M. on Saturday morning from Pinnacle Bank Arena. Watch for updates from RPAC Rundown during the game.
Some history for Southern Valley at state from the NSAA website:
The Eagles have never won a title
Friday's win was just their third win at state
Their other win at state came in 2001 versus Palmyra
They have been to state seven times
Southern Valley is made up of a handful of area communities, (Beaver City, Oxford, and Orleans) according to the NSAA website, Lebanon Beaver Valley made state in 1986 and lost to Prague in the first round, Oxford won titles in Class C2 in 1988 and 1990, and had five tournament appearances
