Destiny Lunan didn't get much of a chance to help Millennium during the 2023-'24 basektball season.

That should change in the upcoming school year.

Lunan put some of her dizzying talent on display Saturday afternoon, leading Millennium to a 37-24 victory over Xavier in the championship game of the Lady X-Monarch Sports Basketball Tournament at Grand Canyon University.

Lunan, who transferred from Bella Vista Academy after her sophomore year, was unable to play last season due to injury and transfer eligibility. But Saturday, the four-star recruit was able to demonstrate her game-changing value against the defending AIA Open champion Xavier Gators.

Lunan scored 12 of her 14 points in a 12-minute span that started in the second half and gave Millennium control of the game.

"This really feels great," Lunan said after the win. "This week is really the first time I've been able to play with this team in some meaningful games, so it feels good to be able to play and develop with my teammates and win some games and hopefully we all get better."

Lunan is no stranger to championship competition. As a freshman she helped Valley Vista to a 6A state title.

Senior to-be Destiny Lunan was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player after leading Millennium to the championship. Ben Stapley/AZPreps365

The Tigers were clinging to a one point lead at halftime (16-15) after rallying from an early 10-4 deficit. Then Lunan took over to start the second half, along with millennium's defensive pressure.

The 5-10 guard hit a three-pointer to start the half, before hustling for an offensive rebound and putback on Millenium's next posession for a 21-15 lead.

Guard Lucy Sanford dropped a three-pointer for Xavier, closing the gap to three points (21-18), but Lunan stayed aggressive on offense, getting to the foul line and connecting on four free-throws, giving Millennium a 25-18 lead with 12:35 left in the game. Lunan added another three-point field goal with 8: 30 remaining, and the Gators would never get closer. Millennium's defense held Xavier to nine second half points, thanks largely in part to a smothering full court press that forced five second half turnovers.

 

Xavier forward Noelle Guiamatsia carried Xavier, specifically in the first half, scoring 12 of her game high 18 points. But the Tigers was disruptive enough to keep Guiamatsia scoreless for the first nine minutes of the second half.

"Tournaments like these are good because we're usually playing good teams," Lunan added.