WEST VALLEY PREPS

Valley Vista ends tough year with joyous 6A title win in Phoenix

Valley Vista junior guard Kinsey Murray rises up for baseline layup attempt against two Highland players during the Monsoon's 69-31 rout in the 6A girls basketball title game March 7 at Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix.

(Courtesy Elliott Glick/For West Valley Preps)

The 2025-26 Valley Vista Monsoon girls basketball team poses with the trophy after winning the program's seventh 6A title in the last 10 years.

(Courtesy Dysart Schools)

Valley Vista junior guard Kinsey Murray dribbles upcourt as Highland sophomore Lacie nemchick defends during the 6A girls title game March 7 at Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix.

(Courtesy Elliott Glick/For West Valley Preps)

With one of its best players missing most of the season to a torn meniscus, the road to a state final was an exhausting march for Valley Vista’s five ironwomen.

But senior forward Deja Strong returned for the last week of the season and the playoffs on a minutes restriction. In the 6A bracket after an Open Division loss to Gilbert Campo Verde, the #6 seed gutted out a 41-40 win at #3 Tucson Sunnyside, then a 47-45 thriller at #2 Gilbert.

It was time for some fun, and the dominant Monsoon team from the early season showed up and had a blast in Saturday’s 6A title game. Valley Vista (21-10) led the entire morning at Veterans Memorial Coliseum, leaving #4 Gilbert Highland (23-9) in the dust 69-31.

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