Richard Smith

West Valley Preps

Most of the anticipation for the Wednesday afternoon 6A girls basketball semifinal between Gilbert and Valley Vista surrounded the guard matchup of Tigers junior twins Haley and Hanna Cavinder and Monsoon seniors Terrysha Banner and Taylor Chavez.

The winner of that battle depends on what is emphasized. The Cavinders combined for more points -  31 to 26 - but the Monsoon veterans displayed more complete floor games and probably earned the slight edge on defense - though both backcourts guarded well.

But the winner of the contest at Wells Fargo Arena in Tempe was never in doubt. Defending state champion Valley Vista (24-6) dominated the other three positions on the court and received significant contributions from seven players as it cruised to a 59-44 win.

"A lot of it was just reading the defense and we worked on creating those mismatches in practice. We watched a lot of film and the kids came up big," Valley Vista coach Rachel Matakas said. "Overall the maturity of the team comes with patience and that chemistry and trust. If  we put a person in a good situation we can do it. Like Tiana Brown, nobody probably knew who she was. But T' can play. Everybody in that locker room can play."

No. 2 Valley Vista is a victory away from a repeat. No 4 Phoenix Xavier Preps (26-5) is the surprise opponent in the final at 5 p.m. Feb. 28 back at Wells Fargo on the campus of ASU. The Gators knocked off the Monsoon's main rival Goodyear Millennium, 50-48 Wednesday night.

Both teams came out firing Wednesday. Freshman center Marissa Davis scored six of her nine points in the opening quarter and Clarissa Rodarte got to the line, hitting all four free throws.

Valley Vista led 18-11 after the opening eight minutes

"It felt great because I know I have good teammates and they 've pushed me every step of the way," Davis said. "Every time I score and make a good play I know they have my back."

The Monsoon led by eight at halftime despite the Tigers lockdown defense on Banner and Chavez, who had two points combined at the half. The Cavinder twins picked up four of Gilbert's six blocked shots.

Chavez contributed in other ways, racking up six rebound and three assists before the break. Her third dish, to junior Kena Kilpatrick with 1:15 left, finished the scoring and sent the defending champions to the locker room up 23-15.

"We were up in the first half and I felt great about that. Marissa, Clarissa and Tiana ... everyone can find ways to score when we're getting keyed on that much," Chavez said. "Me and Rysha know how to make those plays to get other people open so it's not really a problem."

Valley Vista's Taylor Chavez (#3) drives to the basket against Gilbert in a 6A semifinal game on Wednesday, Feb. 21 at Wells Fargo Arena in Tempe. [Jacob Stanek/West Valley Preps][/caption]Rodarte drove for an easy layup, Davis made a free throw and Chavez hit Banner in stride for a layup on a break. The Monsoon lead bulged to 30-17 and remained in that range for the rest of the night.

Davis picked up her fourth foul with 2:59 left in the third quarter but Valley Vista's defensive effort did not waver without its lone inside force. Instead, Chavez and Banner got blocks of their own and forced four turnovers in the period.

Rodarte and Banner scored easy layups when they got the ball in clear out situations to give their team a 36-23 lead after three.

"Taylor and Rysha stuck on Haley and Hanna. Us in the midline helped out on the screens and made sure they didn't have much off them," Rodarte said.

Chavez got a steal and layup early in the fourth and picked up a blocked shot and fed senior forward Tiana Brown for a layup and 40-25 lead.

From there, the only question was whether Hailey Cavinder would single-handedly shoot the Tigers back into the game. She nailed three treys in the fourth quarter, and the third of them cut the lead to single digits, 46-38, with 2:42 remaining.

The Tigers quickly fouled little-used freshman guard Atlantis Delgado. But she calmly sank both free throws and the advantage remained in double digits the rest of the way.

"I brought a freshman in and she made big free throws,' Matakas said. "That's what we do. I tell kids, 'It's not who starts the game, it's who finishes.' I had a long talk with my freshmen and sophomores, I call them my young bloods, and explained that it's a growth process. You have to come out here and be ready to play when you're called."

Valley Vista bled the clock for the final two minutes and Chavez ended her night with a basket and a chasedown steal from behind. She posted a double double, 14 points and 11 rebounds, and added a game-high six steals and five assists.

Rodarte also stuffed the box score with a team-high 15 points and added 10 boards. Haley Cavinder led all scorers with 22 but no other Gilbert player reached double figures.

"Going back (to the finals) is amazing. You work 365 days and you put in the work in practice. It's much harder. Knowing that we're back here and having a chance to play for a championship means a lot. We want it for the younger girls as well," Rodarte said.

While teams took their games up another notch against the defending champions, the road to the finals was easier the second time around.

Chavez and her coach both described the calm feeling that surrounds this team, borne of the confidence gained getting here in 2017.

"I don't know what it is, but I am so mellow. Last year I was a lot more hyped. Maybe it's because I knowe process. We know what we need to do. When it comes down to it, it's about how comfortable you are and knowing when to bring the energy Matakas said.

Valley Vista's Clarissa Rodarte (#5) makes a layup against Gilbert in a 6A semifinal game on Wednesdayat Wells Fargo Arena in Tempe. [Jacob Stanek/West Valley Preps][/caption]

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Gilbert         11  4    8  21 – 44

Valley Vista 17  5  13  23 – 59

BOX SCORE

Gilbert – Haley Cavinder 22 points, 5 rebounds, 5 steals, 3 blocks; Hanna Cavinder 9 points, 4 assists; AJ Jonson 7 points; Brynn Wade 4 points, 9 rebounds; Leah Millman 2 points.

Valley Vista – Clarissa Rodarte 15 points, 10 rebounds; Taylor Chavez 14 points, 11 rebounds, 6 steals, 5 assists; Terrysha Banner 12 points; Marisa Davis 9 points, 8 rebounds, 2 blocks, Tianna Brown 5 points; Alanis Delgado 2 points; Kena Kilpatrick, 2 points.