Stokes hits another game-winner to lift Valley boys past Derry

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, February 2, 2018 | 10:21 PM

Dru Stokes had hit some big shots before, but his latest couldn't have come at a better time.

The Valley senior guard scored 18 points, including a go-ahead 3-pointer with 41 seconds left, and the Vikings held on for a 47-45 Section 1-4A boys basketball victory at Derry on Friday night.

“I've made a few (winning shots) in the past,” Stokes said. “I've made some for my AAU team, and I remember I had one in high school last season and a bunch of them this year.”

A bunch of them?

“Yes, I think I have four now,” he said. “The last one I made was a pull-up jumper at the buzzer against Brownsville (giving Valley a 69-67 victory Jan. 3).”

Valley coach Mark Faulx referred to Stokes as the team's “composure guy.”

“Every one of the players on our team has a special gift,” Faulx said. “Dru's is staying calm. I may look calm, but I'm not calm. But Dru stays calm. And, he's a really good shooter.”

Of Stokes' seven field goals, four were from behind the arc.

“I'm just trying to set an example,” Stokes said.

Valley rallied to take its first lead just before the end of the first half, using a 13-0 run to go up 25-23 at the break.

The deciding bucket wasn't Stokes' only big shot of the second half for Valley (11-3, 8-2), which rallied time and again after Derry took a lead, the last at 45-44 on a layup by Chuck Webb with 53 seconds left.

“It's the kind of moments you're always thinking about having,” Stokes said. “When our team gets a little rattled, I want the ball in my hands because I can set an example. We just need a little control sometimes.”

The victory helped second-place Valley keep pace in the section, a game behind leader Indiana, which defeated Yough, 70-42. Roman Flenory added 10 points for the Vikings.

Aiden Bushey's 15 points paced Derry (7-9, 4-6), which was eliminated from playoff contention. Justin Huss added 11 for the Trojans.

“It's a tough loss, and it was a tough loss we had against them up at their place, too,” Derry coach Damon Rause said, referring to a 53-46 decision Jan. 9.

“That team is averaging (about) 70 points per game, and we've held them way below that both times. That's pretty impressive against a team with their speed and athleticism. I told the kids not to hang their heads.”

Both teams were playing without key players.

Valley was missing starting forward Deonte Ross and reserve Isiah Mangol because of what Faulx said were “personal reasons.”

Derry was without 6-foot-6 forward John Kerr, the Trojans' all-time leading shot-blocker, who missed his second consecutive game with the flu.

“We sure could have used him tonight because rebounding, at times, was a problem for us,” Rause said. “We just got Chuckie Webb back for this game, and I don't think he was quite at full strength.”

Webb, who came off the bench to score six points, like Kerr, sat out a 57-40 loss at Deer Lakes on Tuesday.

“We were hoping to get Johnny back tonight,” Rause said, “but he's still not up to it.”

Dave Mackall is a freelance writer.

Tags: Valley