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AIA Open HoopTalk: No. 2 Sunnyslope vs No. 3 Millennium with Gregg Rosenberg

We all know March is about unexpected heroes.

The one’s that play their role all year and earn their moment on the big stage for their school.

In the AIA Open semis, it was Sunnyslope senior Owen Hillis who stepped up when junior Cristian Simmons got into foul trouble early.

Prep Hoops’ Gregg Rosenberg:

“He probably had the game of his life off the bench. I even asked him if he’s started – he said no. 11 points. Big time points. Crucial. He was defending. Made some clutch shots. He hit a three…I’m not sure if I’ve seen him attempt a three. He was one of those X-Factors.”

 

March is also about settling the score.

The No. 2 Vikings and No. 3 Tigers split the regular season series; so the guys on the court, coaches on the sidelines, and fans in the stands may have been more on edge, even for a playoff game.

The physicality was there throughout while coaches and fans alike voiced their displeasure with the officials. 

Millennium’s defense took away a lot of what Slope was looking for in transition and switching to zone stagnated the Vikings offense for much of the second half.

Also, making some perimeter shots opened up lanes for junior Cameron Holmes, who drew smart fouls that helped get the Tigers back in it.

 

Nothing gets done without the big stars, though, and the 2027’s in Delton Prescott and Darius Wabbington were the big stars tonight. 

Prescott, who put up 23 points in the 58-53 victory, has shown an ability to control the pace of the game and a knack for knowing when he needs to take over.

Wabbington is a matchup nightmare for any big; he can post up, blow past you and will knock down a trey in your face if you fall asleep.

They both impressed again as they have all season – exactly what this squad will need in the championship.

These kinds of slug fests often come down to gritty defensive plays down the stretch.

Senior Rider Portela delivered.

Prep Hoops’ Gregg Rosenberg:

“Delton Prescott and Darius Wabbington were unbelievable…literally just took the game over. [Wabbington’s] such a versatile player. Plays almost like a guard…kind of funny to say at 6-10. He kept going against Cameron [Holmes].

Rider was off in the beginning, but kept on doing the little things. Rebounds, deflections. Sure enough, he makes the big steal out of a big time player [Holmes] against him. It led to Delton Prescott’s free throws to ice it.”

 

All of this to face the No. 1 Perry Pumas, who were at full strength with senior Koa Peat in the lineup.

Head Coach Ray Portela and Sunnyslope will look to stifle Head Coach Sam Duane and Perry’s four-peat dreams.

Prep Hoops’ Gregg Rosenberg:

“Getting more shots for Rider Portela and Nash Parmley…what [Perry’s] gonna do is pack it in [the paint]. Guys are gonna have to hit shots. They’re gonna make sure Wabbington doesn’t go off. In that first game [Slope and Perry] played at Sunnyslope, Wabbington was posting Koa up and stepping out to the three…[Sunnyslope’s] the only team, on-paper, who can match up physically with Perry…People watching them for the first time going, ‘I didn’t realize how big they were.’ It’s real. 6-10, 6-8, 6-7 off the bench, 6-6 off the bench.”

We’ll be at Arizona Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum this Saturday for full state championship coverage.

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