Sunnyslope Holds Off Millennium to Advance to Open Championship

In a hard-fought Arizona Open Division semifinal matchup, #2 Sunnyslope edged out #3 Millennium 58-53 to secure a spot in the championship game at Veterans Memorial Coliseum. The game, featuring two of the top teams in the state, was a defensive battle from start to finish, with neither team ever pulling too far ahead.

Defensive Battle from the Start

Sunnyslope jumped out to a 9-7 lead in the opening minutes, setting the tone for a game where every basket was earned. By the end of the first quarter, they held a slim 17-12 advantage. Millennium responded in the second quarter, tying the game at 21-21, but Sunnyslope managed to regain control and take a 28-25 lead into halftime.

Sunnyslope Extends Lead but Millennium Keeps It Close

Coming out of halftime, Sunnyslope tightened up defensively and built their largest lead of the game at 35-25. However, Millennium refused to go away, cutting the deficit to 41-36 by the end of the third quarter. The game remained tight in the fourth, with Sunnyslope maintaining a narrow edge at 46-42 before closing out the win.

Prescott and Hillis Lead the Way

Sophomore point guard Delton Prescott and senior forward Owen Hillis played key roles in Sunnyslope’s victory, providing leadership and crucial plays down the stretch. Prescott controlled the tempo and found ways to attack Millennium’s defense, while Hillis’ presence inside helped keep Sunnyslope ahead in the closing minutes.

Sunnyslope Moves on to the Championship

With the win, Sunnyslope advances to the Arizona Open Division championship game, where they will have a chance to claim the state’s top prize. They’ll need another strong defensive performance against #1 Perry to take home the title at Veterans Memorial Coliseum.