By Kevin Khachatryan, Staff Writer
The Lady Monarchs headed into the SoCal Regional playoffs with a conference co-MVP and three first team all-conference players and a defense that allowed fewer than 50 points in their last five games.
This formula served them well in their opening playoff game, as the Monarchs dispatched Imperial Valley College at home last week 74-44. However, over the weekend, the Lady Monarchs fell to the Moorpark Raiders, the number one team in the Western State South Conference, 63-54.
Valley compiled a conference record of 12-2, finishing second to Glendale College, which finished 13-1. The Valley squad was led by sophomore guards Jordyn Jiron (14.7 points per game), Jacqueline Privado (10.4 points per game), Leena Vo (9.1 points per game) and Emilie Bruga (7.3 points per game).
For her efforts, Jiron was named conference co-MVP and second team all-state. In conference, Jiron was fifth in points averaged per game and third in total points for the season with 396. Privado, Vo, and Brugna were named first team all-conference.
“After a tough 2021-22 season, the sophomores made a commitment to be better and began to put in the work,” said head coach Monica Hang referring to last season’s overall record of 11-13. “They also cared for one another and when one cares about someone, you're willing to do whatever it takes to have their backs.”
The Monarchs offense ranked 36 out of 89 teams in the California Community College Athletic Association. The women's basketball team averaged 66 points per game, which helped the Monarchs to a second place finish in conference.
Valley’s playoff run against Moorpark came to an end due mostly to their poor shooting in the contest. The team shot 39 percent from the field and 38 percent from 3-point land.
The Lady Monarch also turned the ball over to the Raiders 18 times, which led to easy buckets for the host team. However, coach Hang was encouraged by her team’s effort on Saturday night and the experience her freshman players gained during the season.
“The grind doesn’t stop,” Hang said. “It’s a process. Trust the process and never cheat the process. Be consistent with one’s effort each day.”
Sophomore guard Leena Vo said she was proud of the whole team and the effort they put together all season, including the playoffs.
“We fought really hard until the end,” Vo said. “It just hurts to leave everything behind because I’ve really built a family with them in the past two years.”