Thursday night's Open Division semifinals demonstrated what most observers have opined over the last few months: Millenium is the state's most talented and deepest team, while Perry's Koa Peat is the best player in Arizona.

The teams will square off Saturday night at Veterans Memorial Colisuem after convincing victories. Millennium dominated Notre Dame 65-38, while Perry used a dominant second half to take down Basha 63-46. The Pumas advance to the championship game for the third straight season, having won the 6A title in 2022 and last year's inaugural Open Division championship last season.

Millennium has lost three 5A title games in the last five seasons. But the Tigers haven't lost to an Aarizona team all year. Something will have to give Saturday night.

Peat poured in 35 points to go along with 15 rebounds for Perry. 11 of those points came in the first quarter when Perry raced out to a 21-8 lead. But Basha fought back, using a 16-2 run to close the gap at halftime to one point (25-24).

"We've been here before and I really love this team," Peat said afterward. "Everybody wants to beat us and we know that, so we've just taken things one game at a time this season."

Peat asserted his dominance in the first quarter for Perry scoring 11 of Perry's 21 points. Barron Silsby and Don Tinsley each hit 3-pointers to help Perry jump out to the big lead.

"We got a bit complacent in the second quarter, but we're also playing a good team," Perry coach Sam Duane Jr. said. "Basha is so well coached and they're such a good team. We knew it was going to be a batlle, and the final score isn't reflective of the game."

Perry (23-6)  and Basha (22-7) split a pair of region games during the regular season, with Basha getting an overtime win in its second game against the Pumas. It was Basha's first win over Perry in four years. But Perry is accustomed to pressure of the grand stage the last few seasons, and it showed in the final two quarters. Peat scored 22 points in the second half, with eight coming in the third quarter. No No Brown hit a pair of 3-pointers in the quarter that helped build a 47-37 lead. 

Peat completely took over the third quarter, scoring 14 of Perry's 16 points, including nine straight to start the quarter. No No Brown added 10 points for Perry. 

Sophomore Mason Magee led Basha with 13 points and six assists, but he worked for every point, as the Pumas made it difficult for Magee to penetrate the lane. Christian Warren added 10 for Basha.