By Richard Smith
West Valley Preps
For the second year, West Valley Preps watched enough soccer to put together a credible all Northwest Valley team. Here it is:
First team
F - Jayden Anderson, junior, Centennial
Centennial's Ari Jimenez (#3) scores a goal on a free kick against Ironwood Monday, Dec. 19, 2016 at Centennial High School in Peoria. (Jacob Stanek/ West Valley Preps )
F - Delaney Peery, senior, Liberty
F - Allison Veloz, sophomore, Willow Canyon
MF - Danielle Egharevba, junior, Willow Canyon
MF - Ari Jimenez, senior, Centennial
MF - Jordan Lafferty, junior, Shadow Ridge
D - Julia Stangler, junior, Willow Canyon
D - Reghan Ritter, senior, Liberty
D - Lauren McGahie, senior, Mountain Ridge
D - Anaya Raj, senior, Kellis
GK - Mikaela Bushey, senior, Sunrise Mountain
Second team
F - Haley German, senior, Liberty
F - Makenna Barton, sophomore, Northwest Christian
Liberty's Reghan Ritter (#2) and Willow Canyon's Allison Veloz (#1) fight for possession Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017 at Willow Canyon High School in Surprise. (Jacob Stanek/West Valley Preps)
MF - Elena Nicolia, senior, Sunrise Mountain
MF - Katrina Wetherell, junior, Kellis
MF - Payton Younger, junior, Liberty
MF - Rachel Young, sophomore, Shadow Ridge
D - Michaela Solis, senior, Centennial
D - Hannah Johnson, senior, Sunrise Mountain
D - Monica Martinez, senior, Ironwood
D - Karen Posada Chavez, sophomore, Dysart
GK - Hayden Wallace, junior, Deer Valley
Player of the year
Ari Jimenez, senior, Centennial - Her partnership with Anderson was, largely, the Coyotes' offense this year, After moving her to an attacking midfield role in his second year as coach, Steve Ybarra reaped the benefits with 24 goals and 16 assists.
Runner up
Danielle Egharevba, junior, Willow Canyon - She probably picks up her second straight award if not for an injury against Liberty that cost her several weeks. The Wildcats rely, perhaps too much, on Egharevba;s ability to win 50/50 balls and plow through the defense to set up the sprinter Veloz.
Coach of the year
Erik Andersen, Sunrise Mountain - The former Centennial coach came back to the district and returned the Mustangs program to its former solid , playoff status during the Shauna Johnson era. He got the seniors to listen to there third coach in three years and Sunrise Mountain recorded a 4A playoff upset.
Runner up
Peter Evans, Liberty - The Lions have been solid for years but the former Mountain Ridge coach meshed with a senior-dominated group that went to the next level. Liberty knocked off Phoenix Arcadia in the regular season and nearly did the same to the eventual runner up in the 5A quarterfinals.
