Jeff Edgington

For West Valley Preps

Facing a loss on a national stage, a program can do one of two things; They can pack it up and go through the motions for the rest of the tournament or come out the next day ready to flip the page.

Coach Rachel Matakas's Monsoon fell 49-43 against one of the top small school programs in California - La Jolla Country Day - in the opening round of the John Anderson bracket of the Nike Tournament of Champions Tuesday.

The defeat put the defending state 6A champs into the consolation portion of the event. They'll have to respond with a vengeance and know the best they can do is just ninth place.

Challenge accepted. Taylor Chavez had 13 of her game-high 20 in a statement first half which saw the Monsoon clobber Central (Calif.) 49-18. Valley Vista won 67-43.

Clarissa Rodarte added 17 and Terrysha Banner helped the first half rout with pressure defense and timely outside shots. Matakas was more enthusiastic with her teams fluidity in the second game of the week.

"We were able to run our sets a little more efficiently today. I felt Terrysha and Marisa played hard. It's going to take contributing pieces as we get into region play," she said.

Region play looms upon conclusion of this Tournament of Champions with state runner up and longtime rival Millennium waiting  any every other Southwest Region team many notches below the big two.

It helps having the senior leadership in Chavez. The Oregon commit possesses those traits to conduct when things go astray.

"When things get hectic and as we get into bigger arenas where the girls may not hear me as well they know to listen to Taylor," Matakas said.

Having such a talented scoring option who in return acts as a second coach could be essential as the Monsoon (12-3) look to improve as January begins.

Seniors Banner and Rodarte are veteran guard capable of scoring and directing the game.

Matakas elaborated on the quality of the schedule.

"Playing in a featured tournament with some elite out of state competition is only beneficial for our girls. The youngsters, freshman Marisa Davis included, will only get better from the quality tournament," Matakas said.

They're into the semis of the consolation bracket. Valley Vista plays Dillard from Fort Lauderdale, Florida at 12:30 p.m. Thursday at Highland High School in Gilbert.