Lady Vandals working to win program’s second state title

MIAMI, AZ (AZFamily) — The Miami girl’s basketball team is off to a scorching start this year. The Lady Vandals are 22-1 and the top-ranked team in the 2A division.

Coming off a state title game appearance last year, the expectations are high for the Lady Vandals this year. But the season is about more than just basketball.

“We knew that this [season] was going to be special,” sophomore guard Tamia Pietila said.

The work for this year’s Miami girls basketball team started as soon as the clock hit zero in last year’s 60-30 state title loss.

“That motivated us,” Tamia said. “Like we need to be better this year. And the state championship game really took a toll on us. So we’re like, this can’t happen again.”

With a week left in the regular season, Miami’s pretty much-spoken perfection to existence. The Lady Vandals haven’t lost a regular season matchup and are outscoring teams by an average of over 30 points per game.

“It’s been fun,” senior Leeyah Goss said.

“This season’s been pretty good to us,” senior Aeriana Brown added.”

“They’ve really came out with that hunger, grit,” Miami head coach Crystal Pietila said. “Everything a coach wants from each girl, they bring it and they bring it every day.”

In a rematch of last year’s title game, Miami even got a little revenge, beating Phoenix Country Day in front of a packed home crowd.

“That was definitely a confidence boost for sure,” Tamia said.

“We’re all hear for each other,” senior Savannah Pietila added. “We’re a big family, we treat each other like sisters. We also have a good amount of seniors, who know this our last year together so we play for each other.”

But not just each other. These Miami girls are also playing for those who came before them, like longtime head coach Ken Vargas. Vargas passed away right before this school year started.

“I know he’s so happy and proud of us, smiling down on us,” Tamia said. “I know he’s excited for us.”

“We feel his presence, and we want to win one for sure,” Crystal added. “We know he’s watching. He has the best seat in the house.”

Look around Vargas Gymnasium (named after Coach Ken), and you’ll see dozens of state championship banners. But only one (the 1987 state title) is for girls’ basketball.

38 years later, this Miami team is ready to change that. They’re ready to prove that you don’t have to play in a big city to get big-time results.

“It’d mean everything,” Tamia said. “Like our fans walking around school, they’re always telling us like you guys need to put another banner on the wall. And we’re like yeah we need to for sure.”

“Coming from a small community, most of them are from the San Carlos Apache reservation,” Crystal added. “So to bring a title to a school that’s right near the reservation is going to be an amazing feeling. I just want them to lock in and keep their eyes on the prize. But just take it one game at a time.”

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