Sunnyslope's venture into 6A basketball this season was a challenge. The Vikings showed well in recent years in 5A winning two titles (2017 and 2018). They were runners-up in 2016 in an unconventional season when they were lumped in the largest class then known as Division I.

Coach Ray Portela's top-seeded team had to prove itself one more time Saturday night. After winning 17 of 18 regular-season games and three playoff games, one more win would unequivocally shout challenge met.

So - challenge met. Clutch plays the final four minutes from junior Elijah Saunders, junior Oakland Fort and senior Malcolm Olexa helped Sunnyslope eke out a 63-62 triumph over #6 Mountain Pointe at Mesquite High.

Fort, who had a huge night with 34 points in the semifinal win over Brophy, finished with a game-high 19. Saunders checked in with 16 - eight in the fourth quarter. They were needed on a rare night leading scorer Grady Lewis failed to reach double figures (8 points).

Sunnyslope finished 21-1 with its lone loss by two points to Mesa High. Mountain Pointe (15-6), looking for its first-ever boys hoops crown, settled for runner-up for the second year in a row under coach second-year coach Kaimarr Price and third time overall in four years.

The winner in this one was a mystery to the final buzzer. The game saw nine ties and 18 lead changes - seven lead changes in the final quarter alone. Mountain Pointe's last lead was 54-53 after two free throws by Mark Brown (14 points) with 3:50 to play. After exchanging missed shots and a turnover, Saunders extended began heroics. He scored on a putback after a missed three by Fort, putting the Vikings ahead to stay, 55-54, with 2:41 left.

Fort tracked down a loose ball the teams battled over deep in his own end and beat everyone to the other end for a layup making it 57-54 with 1:58 to go. Brown made one of two free throws to cut the deficit to 57-55, but Saunders answered on the next possession with a 12-foot jumper.

Sunnyslope's 59-55 lead improved to 61-55 after a Mountain Pointe turnover and the Vikings running more than half a minute off the clock. Olexa was fouled and went to the line for a one-and-one with 28.5 seconds left. He made the first that wasn't the prettiest of makes as it bounced around several times before going in. He swished the second. Mountain Pointe's Jason Kimbrough scored on a layup (61-57) and Saunders countered making two free throws with 14.6 seconds to go.

Kimbrough kept Pride hopes alive swishing a long three woth 10 seconds on the clock- 63-60 Sunnyslope.  Mountain Pointe had one final chance  after Olexa missed a free throw with 7 seconds left. The Pride hurried up the floor and Tru Washington, who tied for team scoring honors with Kimbrough with 16 points, missed a tying three. A two-point basket at the buzzer accounted for the final score.

An exhausted and also exuberant Vikings coach Ray Portela rejoiced for a few moments with the Sunnyslope faithful and then watched his players receive the title trophy. 

"They (Mountain Pointe) are a tough team, athletic and resilient," Portela said. "This game could have gone either way at the end. I credit our players because this game was played at a high level and they didn't crack. We played a very tough schedule and that helped prepare us for a game like this."

With Lewis' point production neutralized to a large degree by the presence of Mountain Pointe's 6-8 center Zereoue Williams, Sunnyslope needed offensive help in the opening half. The Vikings received it with the bench play of junior Mason Taylor. Taylor tallied 10 points - seven in the first half. Two of his four baskets were threes and one a putback.

"Mason's had his moments this year and this was certainly one of them," Portela said. 

Second-chance baskets were one of the few stats one team held an advantage - 17 points for Sunnyslope and 6 in for Mountain Pointe. Lewis grabbed eight rebounds (five offensive). The Vikings were led in rebounding by their smallest starters -  Olexa (10) and Fort (9). Williams had a game-high 11 boards and four blocks to pace the Pride.