4A Team Preview: Valley

Photo: Valley High School

Sky Hatcher

November 23, 2023 @ 01:54 PM

Key Players: [player_tooltip player_id='1680000' first='Tyler' last='Kozlowski'], [player_tooltip player_id='1680001' first='Julian' last='Chavez'], [player_tooltip player_id='1695659' first='Luciano' last='Mondragon']   Valley was 2 points away from a championship appearance last season but showed themselves to be a team more than capable of winning it all. They bring back essentially the exact same team from last year, now with possibly the most varsity experience of any team in 4A from the starters to the bench. They're led by a stellar backcourt of [player_tooltip player_id='1680000' first='Tyler' last='Kozlowski'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1680001' first='Julian' last='Chavez']. Arguably the best shooting duo in the state, they are able to attack defenses from all angles and knockdown shots at will. Kozlowski shares point guard duties this season and is great at creating for himself off-ball, taking advantage of his shot-making abilities. Chavez has proven himself to be an extremely capable catch-and-shoot threat and has evolved his game tremendously when attacking and finishing around the basket. The point guard duties will be primarily held by [player_tooltip player_id='1695659' first='Luciano' last='Mondragon'], who has shown that he is one of the fastest players in the state. He's extremely shifty and quick with the ball in his hands, able to create for others off the dribble with his speed. Diego Miscles-Rivera has rejoined the team after being ineligible last season and has shown how valuable he can be playing any position for this team. The Vikings also bring back their two bigs [player_tooltip player_id='1680002' first='Alec' last='Giron'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1685508' first='Charles' last='Lopez-Burton'], both great at disrupting players in the paint and getting rebounds for second-chance opportunities. Valley will be a team to beat in 4A and will have a great chance at the 4A title.