I’ve really enjoyed covering the tournament this week and I think I’ve seen as much very good girls basketball in the last few days than I’ve seen in the last 3 or 4 years.

This Ayala Best of the West Tournament Elite Division is the best around, no doubt, for girls basketball. The only thing that’s missing is a really good representation of local teams.

Of the 32 teams in the Elite Division, only Miller, Diamond Ranch,  Chino Hills, Rancho Cucamonga and Ayala are from the Inland Valley. From a slightly larger area, you can include Bishop Amat from La Puente as well as Cajon from San Bernardino.

Miller and Ayala are undoubtedly the two best teams currently in the Inland Valley. But I think what would truly grab local interest throughout is for schools such as Etiwanda, Colony, or even some of the schools in the Open Division to take the challenge of the Elite Division.