The debate is over.

The Millennium Tigers are the No. 1 team in the state.

They proved their point effectively on both ends of the court during their 57-31 Open Division championship victory over Valley Vista at Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

And while we’re at it, Destiny Lunan likely locked up Arizona Player of the Year honors Saturday. The 5-10 senior outscored Valley Vista after her 38-point outing.

It’s hard to match the swagger and game the versatile two guard brings to the court.

“It feels wonderful,” Lunan said. “Just knowing what it takes to get here. I’m just blessed. This whole team is blessed. We have undeniable favor. A lot of people didn’t want us to win today. But we came out here and we showed them that we can win. And we came out here and showed that we are the best defensive team in the state.”

This wasn't the first time that Lunan saw the purple, black and silver uniform of Valley Vista. 

The senior actually donned it when she attended Valley Vista, where, as a freshman, she helped the program win a title. Lunan then transferred to a prep school before bookending her career with another championship, this time in the purple and black of Millennium. 

The coaching staffs know and respect each other as well.

They’ve been through their share of battles while becoming the best basketball rivalry in the state. This was the second time that the programs fought for a title.

It happened in 2017, when Valley Vista won that round. In the past decade, both programs have appeared in a combined 15 state title games.

What a remarkable run by Valley Vista. It has appeared in seven title games in the past decade. (Jose Garcia photo/AZPreps365)

So a convincing victory, considering also that each came in with double digit win streaks, wasn’t expected. But Millennium’s full court pressure never really allowed Valley Vista’s offense to get off the blocks.

Valley Vista's Natalie Yanes, who made some big threes in the semifinals, hit a couple of threes in the second period of the final.

But Lunan then completed a three-point play to make sure the momentum remained on Millennium’s side. In the third period, Lunan and Millennium’s other go-to star, sophomore Dashia Richardson (16 points), hit back-to-back threes to put their team up by 19.

"Let's go,” Richardson yelled out as Valley Vista called a timeout.

Go, go, go.

The Tigers did just that throughout the game until it lifted the Open championship hardware. Millennium (24-6) won its final 11 games, including a 66-50 regular season win over Valley Vista (25-8).

Ever since losing to Salpointe and Sunnyslope in the regular season, Millennium has been a different team.

“The goal for us from the beginning was Open state champs,” Millennium coach Danny Soliman said. “But when you play Valley (Vista). It’ a rivalry. It brings out the best in kids. That’s why I was thankful when we got that matchup, because I didn’t have to motivate them. They had their own motivation.”

They also wanted to prove a point.

Millennium was No. 1.