Valley Vista has been in big state games. The defending state champs returned a lot of talent from last year’s team, and they were primed to make a run at a 2018 state title.
They came away state champions again after beating Xavier 68-55 on Wednesday night.
Six players played for the Monsoon, and Taylor Chavez, Rysha Banner and Marisa Davis scored in double figures. Davis, a freshman, also notched 18 rebounds.
Even up by double digits, guard Clarissa Rodarte dove over a media table to save a ball. That intensity has become a staple of Valley Vista basketball.
“That’s how we play defense,” Valley Vista girls basketball coach Rachel Matakas said. “We don’t stop. You have to play all 32 minutes At any point, you give them a chance, you give up the tempo, the control. That can change the view of the game.”
While this was a group with multiple seniors, Davis is a freshman looking to keep the streak going.
But first, her dad has to pay off a bet.
“It feels amazing,” Davis said. “And now I get to go to Six Flags because my dad made me a bet. We win a state championship, he’s taking me to Six Flags, and I’m going to Six Flags.”
Jordan Hamm
