Zillah Girls Basketball Coach Brandie Valadez, 41, Passes Away After Long Battle With Cancer, Leaving Behind Husband Armando And Two Daughters
May she rest in peace!
August 7, 2026
This article was last updated by Alisha Shrestha on August 7, 2026
Brandie Valadez, a beloved figure in Zillah’s basketball community, passed away early Wednesday at the age of 41 after a courageous, decade-long battle with breast cancer.
Known for her leadership and deep love for her community and family, Valadez’s influence extended far beyond the basketball court.
From Star Player To Inspirational Coach
A Zillah native, Valadez, née Bounds, left a mark as a player and later as a coach.
As a standout athlete for the Zillah Leopards, she scored 1,509 points and earned SCAC West Player of the Year honors twice.
She later played in 80 games for Eastern Washington University between 2002 and 2005.
After beginning her coaching journey at Highland, she returned to Zillah in 2012 to lead the girls’ basketball team.
Under her guidance, the team reached the 1A semifinals in 2015 and secured a fourth-place state finish in 2026, the program’s best since Valadez herself was on the court as a player in 2000.
A Relentless Fighter In Life And On The Sidelines
Valadez’s battle with breast cancer was marked by determination and grace.
She spoke openly about her condition during the 2015 state tournament, describing it as “just another bump in the road.”
Her perseverance allowed her to continue living life as fully as possible, a trait admired by all who knew her.
Zillah boys’ basketball coach and fellow teacher Mario Mengarelli said,
“She fought to the bitter end. Her toughness rubbed off on the whole Zillah community, not just her team.”
Even as her condition worsened, she remained on the sidelines, coaching, inspiring, and leading.
Her final team honored her with pink shoes during their state tournament run.
A Special Bond With Her Daughter And Husband
Brandie Valadez is survived by her husband, Armando, and their daughters, Bella and Berklie.
One of the most meaningful moments in Valadez’s career came when she had the opportunity to coach her daughter, Bella, during her freshman season.
Bella averaged nearly 15 points per game, earning second-team All-SCAC and All-1A State Tournament honors.
Brandie said after a December victory in the SunDome Shootout,
“I’ve waited for this day my entire life, so I’m going to cherish every moment of it.”
Though details of her service were not finalized at press time, tributes poured in from across the community.
In an emotional Instagram post, the Zillah girls’ basketball team described her as “the heart and soul of our program.”
“Thank you B for endless years of love, strength, dedication, and fight, not only for your family, but for your community and all the young lives you coached as well.”
Similarly, a family friend expressed heartfelt sympathy:
“My deepest sympathies go out to my primo Armando Valadez and his beautiful daughters. Brandie was a shining beacon of hope. May you find strength and comfort in our prayers always.”
Brandie Valadez’s legacy will forever be remembered!
- Check other Articles on
Rovik Parajuli
Rovik is the dynamic force behind the scenes, serving as both an author and editor for the publication. With a finger on the pulse of current trends and a firsthand understanding of the sports world from his own participation, Rovik is adept at identifying topics that resonate with readers and drive engagement.
Expertise:
Trendsetting Articles Player Perspective
Highlights
- Rovik excels at identifying emerging trends and topics within the sports world.
- Rovik spearheads the creation of interactive content formats such as polls, quizzes, and challenges.
Experience
Rovik's ability to stay ahead of trends and connect with readers on a personal level has made him an invaluable asset to the publication, driving its success and reputation as a trusted source of sports news and insights.
Related articles
May 13, 2026
May 12, 2026
May 12, 2026
May 8, 2026
Comments
LEAVE A REPLY
Comment: Please enter your comment! Name:* Please enter your name here Email:* You have entered an incorrect email address! Please enter your email address here
Δ
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam.
Share article
- May 13, 2026 Residents of Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, are raising serious concerns after a series of violent incidents involving a group of young boys who have been targeting...
- May 13, 2026 Andrew O' Donnell of Fairfield, Connecticut, passed away at the age of 39. He was born in Fairfield, Connecticut, and later moved to Ancramdale, New...
- May 12, 2026 Judy (Evans) Milby of Rockwall, Texas, passed away on Saturday at the age of 80. Milby was born on July 25, 1945, to her father,...
- May 12, 2026 Residents of Dromore, Co. Down, are calling for action after a deeply concerning incident at the local play park, where older children were reported...
- May 11, 2026 A video circulating on Facebook has sparked a heated debate among Bell Gardens residents after police were called on a group of kids riding...
