The basketball playoffs are still a couple of months away, but there’s always something on the line when Millennium and Valley Vista meet.

The programs proved once again that the state’s best girls basketball big school rivalry may reside in the West Valley. It took two overtimes to determine Thursday night’s winner.

Elli Guiney’s final second free throws were the difference in Millennium’s 78-76 thrilling home victory. A good amount of students rushed the court to celebrate with the victorious Tigers afterwards.

Valley Vista also put forth a gallant performance, playing the final 11-plus minutes without its court general, Jocelyn Chavez, who along with two other teammates fouled out. But center Emma Dasovich and others stepped up.

The senior’s basket in the paint after a timeout handed her team a 74-73 lead late in the second overtime. But, during Millennium’s next possession, that’s when one of the two freshmen who played key roles collected a big rebound.

Jayda Hunt’s put back after a missed free throw put Millennium up 76-74 with about 53 seconds remaining in the second OT. Millennium placed the ball in freshman guard Dashia Richardson’s hands down the stretch, and she responded with clutch baskets as well.

With 7.9 seconds remaining in the first OT, Millennium shot two threes to try and take the lead. But on the third attempt, during that wild sequence, Richardson wound up with the ball and drained a three, giving her team a 69-68 advantage.

Valley Vista was fouled with two seconds left in the first OT and converted the first free throw but missed the second one to send the game to the final OT.

In the second four minute period, after two Dasovich free throws tied the game at 76-76, Guiney calmly converted two free throws with 2.9 left in the final OT.

Millennium kept Valley Vista from inbounding the ball successfully at the end. Guiney scored 21 first half points but was held without a field goal in the remaining 10-plus minutes of the game.

But she came through when her team needed her the most.

“The energy is insane,” said Guiney about the rivalry. “Every game, the crowds are packed. The respect between the two teams is insane. Two helluva teams.”

Millennium’s biggest lead in the game was 7-1; Valley Vista’s was 42-35.

The rest was just another epic back and forth battle between the elite programs.

Guiney and her father, Travis, a teacher at Millennium and the defensive coordinator for Liberty High’s Open championship team, will be interviewed during the azpreps365 Morning Show Saturday on 1580 AM The Fanatic.