Underclassmen to watch: Teryn Demaree, F, (Sophomore), Sunrise Mountain; Anna Garcia, G, (Sophomore), Shadow Ridge; Jordan Kress, G, (Sophomore), Mountain Ridge; Myla Lee, G, (Sophomore), Cactus; Olivia Lee, C, (Sophomore), Cactus; Ashley Lifgren, F, (Sophomore), Centennial; Mehgan Strickler, G/F, (Sophomore), Ironwood.

Player of the year

Taylor Chavez – What is left to say at this point about our player of the year for the third straight season. Her stats went up across the board as a senior, but the most impressive aspect of Chavez’s evolution as a player was her ability to control big games even when her shot wasn’t falling — by stealing the ball, grabbing rebounds, setting up open teammates for baskets and controlling the pace of the game.

Runner-up

Rysha Banner – The yin to Chavez’s yang, Banner, mostly known as a defensive specialist, added to her shooting range as a senior. But the eternal image of the guard will be her pressuring opposing guards almost the length of the court, her top ponytail bobbing up and down and the opposing players passing off or turning it over.

The Valley Vista basketball team celebrates after their win in a 6A championship game against Xavier Prep on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 at Wells Fargo Arena in Tempe. The Monsoon won their second straight title and are the only team champions in the school's young history. [Jacob Stanek/West Valley Preps][/caption]

Coach of the year

Rachel Matakas, Valley Vista – She joins Chavez with the three peat. Do the Monsoon have the best players in the Northwest Valley? Look at the first team and tell me. But beyond those four, Matakas had to develop another three or four rotation players, which made the difference between a repeat state title and a near miss. Valley Vista’s improvement was on display in two dominant performances at Wells Fargo Arena.

Runner-up

Matt Visintainer, Centennial – Longtime Coyotes coach Visintainer put together Centennial’s best team in more than a decade. The Coyotes dominated region play without a true inside player and made the most of a talented but not deep roster thanks to the veteran coach’s steady hand.