Valley lives up to advance billing, opens season at 8-0

Steve Cunningham

Monday, Dec. 22, 1997 | 10:01 a.m.

Valley boys' basketball coach Paul Aznarez thought his Vikings were getting too much praise before the season started.

It wasn't because his team didn't deserve the accolades. Valley has several talented players back from last season but Aznarez simply felt that his team, with only one returning full-time starter, was being put in the glare of a spotlight that might be too bright.

It's going to be hard to avoid now. The Vikings moved to 8-0 on the season by downing McQueen, 66-53, to win the championship of the McQueen Holiday Tournament this past weekend in Reno. Aznarez, who didn't like what was transpiring in the media before the season began, now is resigned to being the hunted.

"I guess I felt (before the season) it was kind of unfair to the kids," Aznarez said of the early publicity. "I'm thinking that we have just one kid back who was a starter and everybody is saying how good we are going to be. That's a lot of pressure to put on kids but they've responded pretty well."

After two blowout victories to open the tournament, the Vikings ran up against the hosts in the title game. McQueen, with several members of the 4A state championship football team on its roster, turned the contest into a rugged affair.

Valley led just 49-43 heading into the final quarter but used a 17-10 run to claim the title. Although a few Vikings came home with bumps and bruises, Aznarez was glad they had a rough-and-tumble experience.

"It's good to play different types of games," he said. "It got real physical, but we walked out of there with a win. We're happy."

Tournament MVP Alex Hernandez scored 30 points in the championship game and Dion Jackson added 20. Hernandez has assumed the role of leader for the Vikings with his great play.

"He's not real vocal, but he sure gets it done on the floor," Aznarez said.

Hernandez and Jackson are joined in the starting lineup by Jason Hill and Jason Juniel. A trio shuttles in and out of the final spot -- John Early, Satino Howerton and Jamar Brown.

Now, Valley begins preparations for the 32-team Las Vegas Prep Championship, which starts Friday. As much as Aznarez wanted to shield his team from added pressure, he knows it's impossible now. In fact, he's not really that surprised by the strong start.

"We're starting to play better basketball, putting a few things together," he said. "Our biggest objective was to be 2-0 in (the Sunrise Division) at this point and we are. The kids aren't overconfident ... we'll keep them on an even keel."

Cheyenne wasn't as fortunate as Valley. The Desert Shields advanced to the title game of the Page (AZ) Christmas Tournament but lost, 70-59, to Skyview.