Despite trailing by 11 in the second quarter and 16 in the fourth, the Cesar Chavez Champions didn’t quit.

Valley Vista, however, played the role of closer once again, punching out Cesar Chavez, 63-54, for the third time this season to advance to the second round of the Open.

Cesar Chavez’s up-tempo game and defensive pressure frustrated its West Valley Region mate Tuesday at times down the stretch of each half. But Valley Vista, the defending 6A champ, kept its composure.

The biggest shot of the night was delivered by a freshman, Braya Neal Tiffany. After a runner in the lane by Lakeisha Robinson to cap a 13-2 Cesar Chavez late fourth quarter run, Tiffany kept her dribble and waited for an opening during a half court set.

With 1:01 left in the game, and her team clinging to a 57-54 lead, the guard drove to the basket and was fouled but not before sinking the shot. She missed the free throw, but Tiffany gave her team the cushion it needed to put the game away.

“I tried to put my team in a good situation,” Tiffany said. “I knew it was a smart take and just had to try and do what’s best for my team.”

With her team dealing with some leg injuries, Tiffany picked the perfect time for her only field goal in the game.

The tenacious Jada Wilson also had a big moment or two, primarily around the basket while scoring a game-high 22 points for 17-4 Valley Vista. Teammate Emma Dasovich also is a low post weapon, but Dasovich showed off her range while connecting on a couple of three and jumpers.

“(Cesar Chavez coach Joe) Lee is a great coach,” Valley Vista coach Brooklynn Hinkens said. “He had a great game plan.

“If we can limit other teams’ second chance opportunities, I think we’ll have a bigger gap in our score.”

For 18-5 Cesar Chavez, seven different players scored, including Victoria Ballard ( 13 points).

“I’m super proud of my girls,” Lee said. “I really feel like they have come a long way. I feel like the first half of the first game (we played against Valley Vista) to the third quarter of the third game, our girls have shown that they belong.”

The season for the Champions isn’t over.

They’ll find out Saturday morning who its first round opponent in the 6A state tournament will be. In the second round of the Open, Valley Vista will travel to play No. 3 Salpointe on Thursday.