UPDATE: The Valwood Valiants faced a crushing defeat against the Brookwood Warriors in their region opener, losing 83-56 on January 6, 2026. This loss marks Valwood’s third consecutive defeat, while Brookwood extends their winning streak to six games, improving to 12-3 overall and 1-0 in the region.
In a game characterized by Brookwood’s explosive offense and tenacious defense, Valwood struggled to keep pace. Coach Tim Finlayson expressed deep frustration, stating, “I thought we were really undisciplined defensively… It was just ugly.” The Valiants’ defensive lapses allowed the Warriors to dominate with a decisive 17-7 run in the second quarter, pushing their lead to 38-23 just before halftime.
Brookwood’s offensive prowess was evident as they consistently found open shots. Levi Williams led the Warriors with 21 points, supported by Jordyn Jean with 19 points and Roscoe Jones contributing 18 points. The Warriors’ sharp shooting included eight three-pointers, and they built a lead as large as 27 points during the game.
Valwood’s star player, Chase Helfer, played through injuries to his left shoulder and right wrist, managing to score 19 points despite visible discomfort. Finlayson noted, “As we get deeper into the season, we’re going to see some double teams… He’s going to have to make good reads off of that.” The Valiants did manage to place three players in double figures, with Richard Hunter scoring 12 points and Cort Kurrie adding 11 points.
This defeat serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing Valwood as they navigate a competitive region. “I think they’re the best team in the state,” Finlayson commented on Brookwood’s performance. The coach emphasized the need for improvement, especially on the defensive end, stating, “We’ve got to be better defensively.”
Looking ahead, the Valiants have a critical opportunity to regroup as they prepare to face Deerfield-Windsor on Friday, January 9, at 7:45 p.m.. Finlayson remains optimistic, stating, “It’s early in region play, so I’m not frantic yet. We’ll figure it out.”
In the girls’ matchup, the Valwood Lady Valiants fell to Brookwood, 41-21, continuing their losing streak to seven games. The Lady Warriors effectively utilized crisp ball movement and timely shooting, capitalizing on Valwood’s offensive struggles.
As the Valiants regroup before their next challenge, fans and players alike are looking for a turnaround, hoping to build on lessons learned from this tough loss against a formidable opponent.
