Richard Smith

West Valley Preps

Both elite West Valley girls basketball programs got what they wanted Thursday night.

In the simplest terms, Millennium and Valley Vista wanted a real game just before things get real in the playoffs. No region foe has played the Tigers closer than 49 points, while the Monsoon's "narrowest" margin of victory in its league is 48.

Previously, these programs lifted each other to Arizona's elite. Millennium dropped to 5A this year but Valley Vista was the first call for the non-region schedule.

Originally scheduled for December, the game was pushed back to Jan. 31 by administrators and coaches determined to keep their teams sharp.

Millennium's 64-51 victory before an overflow crowd of nearly 2,500 at Valley Vista accomplished that goal - with the added benefit of an electric atmosphere.

"It was supposed to be Dec. 9 and Coach (Rachel) Matakas called me and said, 'What do you think about moving it back to right before the playoffs?' You can't beat this environment. It's bigger and louder than most state championships, Millennium Courtland Rojeck said.

"The first thing my girls asked was, 'So we don't play Valley anymore?' I told them we'd work on marking that a freedom game. Both our ADs did a good job of making sure we got it scheduled. I expect we'll be playing this every year," Rojeck said.

Millennium remains undefeated against Arizona opponents (16-0) and is 20-4 overall. Thursday's win showcased the Tigers' experience and depth - and illuminated why only two or three other 5A teams have much of a shot at them.

Despite  the loss, Valley Vista (21-4, 14-2) may have gained more in terms of the competition level. 6A has a deeper field with at least six legitimate state title contenders.

And the teams ranked No. 1-3 are improving by pushing each other in the Premier Region.

"When you play in a section that's so weak, you get away with the little things. That's why we moved the game - we've got to have some competition. Perry, Xavier and Hamilton are beating each other up and getting better for it," Matakas said.

Her young team got better against Millennium, particularly after trailing 28-19 in the second quarter. Valley Vista finished the half on a 10-1 run.

More impressively, those 10 points were split evenly between sophomore role players Alanis Delgado and Zaria Watkins, not stars Marisa Davis and Jennah Isai.

"Our kids are so young, they really don't know anything (about playoff pressure). Today was big for them and I think they played through adversity well. Millennium's experience showed up," Matakas said.

Four of the Tigers' eight regulars are seniors, while starting wing Kena Kilpatrick is the Monsoon's only senior on varsity.

Beyond that, though, Millennium won with its quality depth. All eight rotation players scored and the Tigers have the luxury of bringing Alexyss Newman, a 6-1 senior who will play NCAA Division I basketball at Eastern Washington next year, off the bench.

"Our strength is our depth. We don't want to be in foul trouble, but when we were in foul trouble in the first half and down six, we weren't afraid to go to our bench. They did great tonight," Rojeck said.

Practically everyone was in foul trouble Thursday night. Millennium committed 10 fouls in the first quarter and by halftime Valley Vista had matched them with 10.

By the second half, seven of 10 starters in foul trouble. Four of those were Tigers with four fouls.

Isai fouled out with 1:25 remaining, after leading the Monsoon with 13 points. Yet the biggest whistle was Davis' fourth less than two minutes into the fourth.

Without her, the home team had no player with the length and agility to slow 6-4 junior center Ali Zelaya. The versatile post threat had 12 of her 16 points in the second half and grabbed 10 rebounds.

Senior wing Dominique Phillips also had 16 points and eight rebounds.

"In our rivalry, this was probably the tightest called game. But I will say this, I give them respect because they did a good job of calling it both ways," Rojeck said.

Three referees were used Thursday night, which Rojeck said is an adjustment after 24 games with two refs.

State playoff games will have three referees, so this game also was good practice in that regard. Matakas had few issues with how the game was called, other than how the frequent fouls affected game flow.

"When you get into state, you can't touch. So it's a good prep in that way. I'm not going to blame the officials. It seemed like it would sway a little bit - (Millennium) would get six fouls and then we would get six. It kind of ruined the mojo," Matakas said.

The coach who lead a mostly-graduated Valley Vista squad to the last two 6A state titles also can pinpoint the biggest obstacle to a three-peat.

To win in February the Monsoon must rebound better, particularly on the defensive end.

"Sometimes they expect somebody else (to get the rebound). Marissa's being moved out to more of a guard position and she gets caught standing. Jennah's never had to rebound much. Saniyah's really the only one really in there and got in foul trouble. When it comes down to it, Marissa and Jennah need to rebound more," Matakas said.

As this showdown pointed out, both programs are well set for the next three years. Isai and freshman forward Saniyah Neverson form a young power trio with Davis.

Meanwhile freshman guard Trayanna Crisp led all scorers with 11 points at the half.

"At times early in the year she was the unknown commodity. And she made a name for herself in the Gilbert game. It was a tie game and she rattled off eight points in a row," Rojeck said. "For a freshman, she is so composed. I don't know if she missed a free throws tonight. Jennah and Trey are the two best freshmen in the state, I think. And it's no surprise to see where they are - Millennium and Valley. It's going to be awesome to see those two girls over four years. We had Raina (Perez) and they had Taylor (Chavez), but Raina was a junior or senior and Taylor was a freshman or sophomore. These two have four years."

Millennium junior center Ali Zelaya starts her drive as Valley Vista freshman guard Jennah Isai defends during a Jan. 31 game at Valley Vista High School in Surprise. [Elliott Glick/For West Valley Preps][/caption]