Millennium captures the Lady X Championship

The Millennium Tigers were victorious over the Perry Pumas 49-46 in the Lady X Championships.  Soph [player_tooltip player_id="65613" first="Mia" last="Amundsen"] nailed a 3 pointer in overtime as time expired to end the most exciting games in the history of the Lady X tournament. Both teams were sporting a new cast of key players due to graduations and recent transfers to local Prep Schools. The 2021-2020 5A State Champions Millennium was an extremely deep team last year so it was expected that some of the top remaining players would fill the void and step up and they did exactly that.  2021 GCU [player_tooltip player_id="218206" first="Kassidy" last="Dixon"] has taken over the PG duties this year and she was effective at distributing the ball to teammates. Due to her quickness and exceptional athletic ability, Dixon was tough to keep out of the paint on her dribble drives and dishes to wing shooters. 2024 CG [player_tooltip player_id="205641" first="Elliison" last="Guiney"] shot lights out for the entire event and she proved worthy of her top 5 ranking in the class. She may be in the position to have the most impact of any 2024 player this year. Top 10 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="65613" first="Mia" last="Amundsen"] and Top 25 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="214590" first="Reagan" last="Grimsley"] provided timely shooting, solid all around play as well as poise on both sides of the court. [player_tooltip player_id="217483" first="Reece" last="Grimsley"] was a force down low and at times attracted double teams to slow her productivity.  She displayed an array of post moves. Perry came into the event as the team that had the most question marks due to a recent exodus of 2021 players to Prep Schools. They were seeded #8 due to the uncertainty which led to the Pumas starting the event with a lost to O’Connor. The team found some answers during that game and then reeled off wins against Cactus Shadows and Westwood before falling in overtime to Millennium. The ultra athletic 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="138098" first="Kahmil" last="Pierre"] is turning into beast anywhere in the paint.  She is bouncy and she is one of the top athletes in the state regardless of class. Pierre’s upside is off the charts and her current ranking is proving to be way too low.  Expect Pierre to be one of the top risers in the next 2023 rankings.  The breakout performer of the event was 2022 SG<strong> Kira Pitel</strong>.  Pitel was a calming factor for the young Pumas all weekend which earned her a spot on the All Tournament team. She has great court awareness, she is an effective slasher and Pitel excels in transition. 2023 <strong>Alyssa Banegas</strong> (SG, 5’5’’) was an impressive newcomer for the Pumas.  Banegas hit clutch baskets in the semis and finals that kept Perry within striking distance.  She has no conscious on her 3s and Banegas quick release and confidence shooting the 3 was something to witness. Perry is young but they should be a factor once the playoffs roll around.  Bright future for the program.