The 2026 Open starts next week, but for Millennium and Sunnyslope it may have tipped off Tuesday night. 

A full house of about 2,400 fans heightened the playoff-like tension in the second chapter of a potential trilogy between the 6A titans. The home team walked away victorious once again but not before settling the score in overtime this time.

Millennium (20-3 overall, 6-1 in region) executed down the stretch of its 77-71 victory to even the series and, for the now, the Central Region race. 

“They (Sunnyslope) are such a good team,” Millennium first-year coach Rich Thornton said. “We eliminated the mistakes this time.”

Thornton’s team also stepped up defensively. 

Clinging to a 71-69 lead with 49.2 left in overtime, Sunnyslope, after a timeout, attempted a backdoor pass from Darius Wabbington to a cutting Rider Portela. But junior forward DJ Spencer stuck with Portela’s hip and picked off the pass to help set up a Millennium basket. 

Thornton called a timeout with 29.2 remaining to draw up a play, which worked. On the inbounds pass from the baseline, Trey McKinney cut left and got open in the lane before converting with the 6-10 Wabbington approaching. 

On the other end, Cameron Holmes sealed the deal after blocking a Delton Prescott shot to help hand 22-2 Sunnyslope its first loss to an Arizona team.  

Millennium, with the game tied 64-64, had a chance to end the game in regulation, but Prescott knocked away a pass to send the game to OT. The biggest lead in the game was six points by each team. That’s how close these powerhouses are. 

Adan Diggs rebounded from a so-so performance in the first game against Sunnyslope, scoring 21 points. Holmes led all scorers with 27.  

Sunnyslope came into the game ranked third nationally by maxpreps; Millennium was No. 8. 

Arizona hasn’t had two Arizona Interscholastic Association teams ranked in the top-10 nationally by maxpreps. The Open bracket seedings come out on Saturday. 

Sunnsylope or Millennium will more than likely end up as the No. 1 seed. 

But throw away the seeds. This race is an even heat—until they potentially meet next time.