Risi Lancaster scored 15 points, including four three-pointers, in Sandra Day O’Connor’s 45-40 victory over top-seeded Perry Tuesday at Corona del Sol to advance to its first Open final.

The win sets up a reunion for O’Connor coach Charles Wilson and his team's championship opponent, Millennium. Wilson is a former assistant coach at Millennium, which defeated sister district school Canyon View 48-37 in the first semifinal at Corona del Sol.

Lancaster, a junior guard, converted two threes for her team’s first points in a game in which O’Connor never trailed. Back-to-back baskets by Lancaster, Audrey Bhesania and Francesca Sofia put their team up 22-11 in the second quarter. 

After three Bhesania free throws with .4 left in the second quarter, O’Connor led 27-17 at halftime. But Perry (25-3) got to within three points twice (36-33 and 39-36) in the second half. 

But Lancaster responded with a three and two free throws after each of those occasions to help O’Connor keep the lead the rest of the game. 

Sandra Day O'Connor will make its second state title appearance in the past three years. (AZPreps365 screen grab)

Canyon View trailed 22-13 in the second half, but after a timeout and three consecutive steals that led to points, Millennium’s lead was trimmed to 22-18 at halftime. 

But Millennium, the Open defending champ, took command once again, scoring the first nine points of the second half and limiting Canyon View to just two field goals in the third quarter. 

Millennium’s floor general, Dashia Richardson (15 points), also took two charges in the third quarter, during the physical battle.

Sophomore Mariah Brownlee scored 16 points for Millennium. Canyon View (22-7), which reached the 5A final the previous two years, is the second 5A school to reach the Open semis. 

The game marked the end of the great basketball high school careers of Bernadette Carranza, Aaliyah Rogers and Jaila Flowers, who helped Canyon View win its first title.    

No. 2 Millennium (24-4), which will make its ninth title appearance since 2015, defeated O’Connor 54-47 on Dec. 15 in their first meeting of the season. No. 4 O’Connor (24-2), which won the 6A crown in 2024, reached the Open final for the first time.