Open Division Championship Review/Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On <strong>Saturday, March 7th</strong>, at the <strong>Veterans Memorial Coliseum</strong> in <strong>Phoenix</strong>, the #4 <strong>Sandra Day</strong> <strong>O'Connor Eagles</strong> battled the #2 <strong>Millennium Tigers</strong> for the <strong>2026 Girls Open Division</strong> championship. This was a heavyweight championship battle as both teams mirrored each other to the point that the score was tied at halftime and after regulation. A four-minute overtime period was needed to decide the winner. In the end, <strong>Millennium</strong> pulled away in overtime and won 58-52. The <strong>Millennium Lady Tigers</strong> are back-to-back Open Division champions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here, I look at some of the standouts from this contest</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1255336"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69b38e78ba0a6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The talented freshman stepped onto the biggest stage and produced. Ribbens earned MVP honors, finishing with 17 points on 7-of-12 shooting while also adding six rebounds. What stood out most was her versatility. She was effective finishing around the rim, but also showed the confidence to step out and knock down a perimeter jumper. When the game tightened up, she delivered a couple of timely baskets that helped Millennium keep Sandra Day O'Connor at arm's length.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["603672"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69b38e78ba12f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bhesania may not have shot the ball at her usual level, but she still found ways to impact the game in a major way. The St. Mary's commit finished with a double-double, posting 10 points and 14 rebounds. Her presence on the glass kept possessions alive and helped O'Connor compete in the paint. Even when the shot wasn't falling, she kept playing with toughness and physicality inside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["751754"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69b38e78ba189"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Richardson did the heavy lifting at the point for Millennium. The junior logged all 36 minutes and finished with 14 points, but her impact went far beyond scoring. She controlled the tempo, made smart reads, and kept the offense organized against O'Connor's pressure. Her decision-making and ability to handle the ball in key moments kept Millennium composed down the stretch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["723419"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69b38e78ba1dc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Schooler turned in one of the more efficient scoring performances of the night. The junior guard finished with a game-high 22 points on 9-of-17 shooting, showing the ability to score from multiple spots on the floor. On defense, she played the passing lanes well and showed active hands, finishing with a game high 4 steals. Even in a tough matchup against Millennium's defense, she kept O'Connor within striking distance throughout the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["797311"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69b38e78ba22b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brownlee was a difference-maker with her length and activity on both ends of the floor. The sophomore wing recorded a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds, while also making things difficult defensively with deflections and steals. She used her size and athleticism to attack the basket offensively and disrupt passing lanes defensively. Her motor and two-way impact were key components of Millennium's championship run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->