REDEMPTION: After heartbreaking loss in 2017 final, Wasilla boys return to championship game and earn a state title

ANCHORAGE — As the final buzzer sounded, the Wasilla bench erupted and the Warriors stormed toward center court.

The Warriors celebrated the program’s first 4A state title in more than a decade. But it was also redemption, and an enormous relief for one Wasilla senior.

Last year, the moments that followed the boys’ title game were very different for Aeron Milliron.

A Milliron foul as the game was tied with 12.5 seconds to play led to the go-ahead free throws, and Dimond held on for the win over the Warriors. But after the rematch against the Lynx Saturday night, the 2017 final is a distant memory. Not one of agony that’s stuck with Milliron for the last 364 days.

Milliron and the Warriors are champions.

The senior scored a game-high 19 points to lead Wasilla to a 47-44 win over Dimond during the ASAA/First National Bank 4A State Basketball Championships at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage.

“There are no words to describe it right now,” Milliron said shortly after the Warriors cut down the net. “I just feel great, beyond great.”

In a game that had eerie similarities to the 2017 final won by Dimond 50-46, Milliron said thoughts of the championship game last season did pop into his head late in the game Saturday.

“It honestly did, but I didn’t let it get to me,” Milliron said. “I wanted to stay focused. Stay in the present, not the past.”

And Milliron’s presence was a game-changer.

He sparked the Warriors early, hitting 3 of 5 shots and scoring nine of Wasilla’s 26 first-half points. Late in the fourth, with 1:59 left and the game tied at 41, Millrion hit a free throw to give the Warriors the lead. With 1:07 remaining, he attacked the basket and pushed Wasilla’s advantage to three.

Wasilla would never trail again.

Senior Reilly Devine hit three free throws during the final 12 seconds to keep Wasilla on top, and help the program win its first state crown since 2007.

Devine, who spent the entire award’s ceremony following the 2017 title game consoling his close friend, said it was great to see Milliron have the chance at redemption.

“The guy worked his butt off during the offseason to get back here. He does whatever he needs to do, no matter what,” Devine said.

Devine said Milliron was crushed after the 2017 title game.

“That’s because he cares so much,” Devine said.

Wasilla head coach Ryan Engebretsen said overcoming moments like what happened in the 2017 final helped the Warriors put themselves in the position to win a championship.

“It did absolutely. It allowed us to believe in each other,” Engebretsen said. “It allowed us to believe in each other during the summer trips. It allowed us to believe in each other in workouts, every practice. It was a build up for this moment I’ll remember for a long time.”

Engebretsen praised Milliron’s desire.

“The dude had a fire in his belly. He wanted nothing more than to give everything he possibly could to find a way to be on top,” Engebretsen said.

But it was more than just Milliron. Engrebretsen lauded the work and effort of his entire team.

“One play after another,” Engebretsen said. “They just have so much trust in each other.”

Junior Daniel Headdings added nine points and four rebounds in the win. Devine and fellow senior Jordan Knight finished with seven points each. Devine added a game-high nine rebounds.

Devine said he was certainly not surprised to play another tight game against the Lynx.

“I didn’t expect anything less,” Devine said. “It’s Dimond. Great coach. Great players.”

Led by big man Evan Hoosier, Dimond jumped out to a quick 8-2 lead, but Wasilla closed the first quarter on a 12-5 run. Wasilla outscored the Lynx 14-6 in the second to grab a seven-point lead at halftime. The Lynx found themselves back with the lead early in the fourth with a Hoosier three-point play. Nicholas Horning drained one of his trio of trio of threes with 6:27 left in the fourth to give Dimond a 39-37 advantage.

But Wasilla didn’t fold.

“We felt confident. We’re that type of team,” Milliron said. “Games like this, we go with the flow. We don’t let things get in our mind.”

And the Warriors celebrated.

“It’s like a dream come true,” Devine said.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.

Wasilla 47, Dimond 44

4A boys state championship game

Saturday, Anchorage

Wasilla 12-14-9-12—47

Dimond 13-6-14-11—44

Wasilla (47) — Knight 3 0-0 7, Headdings 4 0-0 9, R. Devine 2 3-6 7, Milliron 6 5-8 19, L. Devine 2 0-0 5; Totals: 17 8-14 47.

Dimond (44) — Moses 5 3-3 14, Bates 1 0-0 3, Moore 3 0-0 9, Horning 3 1-2 8, Hoosier 4 2-5 10; Totals: 16 6-11 44.