Perry coach Sammy Duane Jr. made basketball history again Saturday, and it was a night he may never forget. After overcoming an early deficit, the Pumas were able to hold off a powerful Millennium team, 71-67 in a thrilling Open Division Championship game at Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

It was Perry's third straight title, and it became the fifth 'large school' in Arizona to win three straight championships. The last team? Corona del Sol's fourpeat (2012-2015) which was also coached by Duane Jr. at the time. 

"This one is amazing," Duane said afterward. "We were the No. 1 seed but nobody thought we could win it. Our guys played great."

Four players scored in double figures for Perry. Superstar forward Koa Peat led the way with 21 points, 13 rebounds and four assists. D'Andre Harrison scored 17 points with nine rebounds, while Don Tinsley scored 14 and Barron Silsby had 10, including seven in the fourth quarter.

Perry overcame a 17-point deficit in the second quarter, as Millennium made eight 3-point baskets in the first half. 

"We fought through adversity," Peat said after the game. "I'm proud of my guys for coming in here and showing that we're still the best team in Arizona. I didn't have my best game personally but my guys picked me up. For everyone that says this is a one man army, this is not."

Perry outrebounded Millennium 38-20, and scored nine points off turnovers as opposed to three for the Tigers.

Raising Cain

Sabien Cain's first half performance was legendary. The senior transfer from Indiana scored 25 of his 33 points in the half, hitting seven 3-pointers. "He started out blazing," Silsby said of Cain's first half shooting spree. "We just had to weather it and then adjust."

Cain poured in 16 first quarter points which included five 3-pointers, one of which he was also fouled, and able to convert a four-point play. Millennium led by eight after one quarter  (20-12) and nine at halftime (41-32). JT Amundsen also hit a 3- point shot in the first quarter, as Millennium tallied eight 3-pointers in the first half. 

"I told our guys at halftime, if (Millennium) keeps shooting like that, we'll shake their hand," Duane said of Cain and Millennium's first half shooting. 

"But we hit a bucket late to end the half, and it made it a three possession game. And I told our guys if we can put together a few stops we'll be fine." 

Perry listened to its coach and executed, as Millennium was held to just five points in the third quarter. The Pumas took a 47-46 lead into the fourth quarter, which increased to four when D'Andre Harrison hit a three on Perry's first possession. But Millennium wasn't about to let Perry build a significant lead, as the game winded down to its most critical sequence.

Play of the Game

With big-name players making highlight reel plays on the biggest stage, it was coach Duane's eagle eye that helped a less heralded player make what was likely the game's decisive play. With a 65-63 lead and 14 seconds left, Perry needed to inbound the ball at halfcourt, at which point the Pumas knew Millennium would foul. That's when Duane Jr. noticed the way Millennium's defense was shifting might leave it vulnerable. 

"He saw the whole side was wide open and I just listened to him," Silsby said of the inbound sequence. 

Duane directed Harrison to break towards Millennium's end of the court while Silsby took off the other way. The move gave Silsby plenty of space for Tinsley to spot him and send the inbounds pass, which Silsby took in for the layup and a 67-63 lead.

"When their defender flipped to the other side, they didn't have anyone guarding the basket, so I said 'Barron go'," coach Duane explained of the inbound play.

Millennium wasn't done, however, as Holmes was able to quickly knock down a 3-pointer to close the gap to one point with eight seconds left. The Tigers were forced to foul quickly, and sent Silsby to the line, where he calmly drained both free throws for a 69-66 lead. Perry fouled Cain immediately, and he went to the line and hit the first free throw. Wanting to intentionally miss the second free throw in hopes of an offensive rebound, Cain missed the rim, giving the ball back to Perry. No No Brown would convert on two more free throws in the final seconds, giving Perry a four point lead, assuring the win and the Pumas three-peat championship.

For 5A Millennium (25-5), it was the first loss of the season to an Arizona team. It was also the fourth time in six years the Tigers lost in the championship game, the three previous coming in 5A.
Cameron Holmes finished with 15 points and seven assists, and Kingston Tosi added 12 points and seven rebounds.