Valley Christian edges MHS girls’ basketball

Defending state champion Chandler Valley Christian had to battle into the closing minutes to hold off a stubborn Maricopa girls’ basketball team, 59-55, last night at the MHS Gym.

“With the exception of maybe the last four minutes of that game, that was ours,” head coach Jenn Miller said. “And I think they knew, too.”

Miller said that in her approximately 30 years in Maricopa she didn’t think the Rams had ever beaten the Trojans, and that not many of the previous games had been very close.

Maricopa made its presence known right from the start as Derona Mitchell reeled off the game’s first six points, sending a message that MHS was not going to lay down for the Trojans who were 28-2 a year ago, and already 2-0 this season.

After VCHS reeled off the next eight points, the lead changed hands seven times for the remainder of the half with the visitors holding a slim, 31-30, lead at the break.

A follow-up by Jahnei Johnson to start the third quarter put the Rams back on top and ignited another stretch in which the lead changed hands eight more times and the game was tied on three other occasions.

The Trojans finally put together an 11-0 run late in the fourth quarter to build the margin to 59-49 with 1:30 to play, but even then MHS didn’t quit. Mitchell hit two quick baskets and Johnson added another, but time ran out on the Rams.

***ADVERTISEMENT***“Valley’s a tough program. They’ve always been tough,” Miller said. “But with a young team like we have, I’m excited. Our young girls stepped it up. Our veteran girls showed really good leadership on the floor. We need to clean up some things. We had some silly turnovers, some bad passes.”

Mitchell paced the Rams, now 2-2, with 15 points, while Johnson added 14 and Brianna Estrada added 13.

VCHS was paced by Tana Kemmer and Jenna Uhig each with 13 points.

Maricopa has a week off, going into action next Friday at Vista Grande at 7 p.m.