Hamilton and Millennium battle in midday matchup

This game had big energy before it even tipped off. Both teams came into the game ranked in the Top 10 of the initial AIA Open Division rankings, with Millennium sitting at No. 1 and Hamilton right there in the mix at No. 6. You had the defending Open Division champions on one side in Millennium and the reigning 6A champions on the other in Hamilton. Championship DNA was on both benches. Add in the fact that the game was played at Millennium during school hours, with the gym packed full of students, and you had an atmosphere that felt more like March than January.

Millennium fed off that crowd immediately. Freshman Brooklyn Williams knocked down a three on the very first possession, and the place erupted. But Hamilton didn’t flinch. Malia Romero answered with a three, Izzy Anderson followed with another three, and just like that, it was a back-and-forth match.

T’Maea Eteuati was aggressive early, getting downhill and knocking down shots, while senior Taylor Sipfle made her presence felt with effort plays. It was just her second game back, and even in limited rhythm, you could see how much she stabilizes Hamilton on both ends. Her steal and layup right before the end of the first quarter was a momentum play that pushed Hamilton ahead 15–11.

As Hamilton continues to get more comfortable playing with Sipfle back in the lineup, they’re only going to get better. Her experience, toughness, and understanding of the game raise their ceiling, and that’s a scary thought for the rest of the state, considering this is already the reigning 6A championship team.

The second quarter is where Hamilton really separated. Sage Henry took control, knocking down a big three and attacking gaps in the defense. The Huskies were playing downhill, sharing the ball, and forcing Millennium to guard multiple actions. Claire Barrett capped the run with a layup to make it 34–22 at halftime.

But you don’t win an Open Division championship by folding, and Millennium showed why they’re still the standard.

Brooklyn Williams continued to play with poise beyond her years, hitting pull-ups, drilling a corner three, and keeping pressure on Hamilton’s defense. Eteuati knocked down a huge three, and despite playing most of the game in foul trouble, Mariah Brownlee delivered a massive momentum play with an and-one in transition as the third-quarter buzzer sounded, cutting it to 45–37 and bringing the gym back to life.

That’s where championship habits show up.

Hamilton answered. Again.

Sage Henry opened the fourth quarter with a tough pull-up jumper and later buried a deep three that felt like a momentum stopper. Destinee Benway added a deep triple of her own, and Romero continued to knock down timely shots. Every Millennium push was met with experience and poise on the other end.

Jayda Hunt attacked the rim to try to spark a late rally, and Eteuati kept fighting, but Hamilton never lost control of the game. They took quality shots, defended with purpose, and closed the way champions do. The final score was Hamilton 57, Millennium 49. Hamilton moved to 11-5 and Millennium fell to 11-4.

Henry finished with 19 points, Romero and Benway added 11 each, giving Hamilton balanced scoring from the perimeter.

Millennium was led by freshman Brooklyn Williams with 19 points, while Eteuati added 10