Sunnyslope kicked off the new year with a win.

Doing so at a basketball destination made it even sweeter.

“It’s really cool to play here,” said Sunnyslope’s defensive enforcer Amelia Mickelson after her team walked off the court of Footprint Center with a 55-46 victory over Notre Dame. “I played here last year, so I knew the environment. It’s a really great experience.”

The Wednesday matinée was part of the 12th annual Hoopin’ It Up At The Arena Greenway organizes for Arizona’s high school teams at Footprint Center. Notre Dame and Sunnyslope took the court right after the L.A. Clippers, who played the Phoenix Suns Wednesday, practiced.

For a couple of hours, two of Arizona’s elite girls basketball squads this season had the home of the Suns all to themselves. Notre Dame, missing its leading scorer, came out as the aggressor while collecting its share of offensive rebounds.

But the put backs didn’t fall, allowing Sunnyslope to gain its footing. An and-1 and a three by Kylie Rarrick after four missed shots by teammates in the same possession placed Sunnyslope ahead 10-5, a lead it never relinquished.

‘Slope also used a full court press to help dictate the pace early in the game and cause turnovers.

“That’s our M.O.,” said first-year head coach Kristen Clyder, a Sunnyslope alum. “It’s chaos. We wreak havoc. We get steals. We make buckets, and it builds that confidence.”

Clyder’s girls had a double digit lead for the entire third quarter, but Notre Dame’s defense helped its team get back in the game.

Trailing 49-41, a steal by Notre Dame’s Olivia Frankel led to a basket by freshman Ayla Keefe (13 points) with about 1:30 left in the game. But 6A Sunnyslope (10-3) didn’t allow this inter-conference match-up to slip away.

Junior Kylie Rarrick (15 points), sophomore Maggie Luba (15 points) and junior Teagan McLlroy (14 points) each scored in double figures for Sunnyslope.

Notre Dame (12-3) is coached by former St. Mary’s High sharpshooter Patricia Hollberbach, who is in her first season at the school. Her program is capable of making a run in the 5A Conference this season but will likely need leading scorer, Ava Pautz, on the court.

Pautz did not play for undisclosed reasons.

“She’s been on the bench today and did really well,” Hollerback said. “She’s been positive, with a good mindset and encouraging words.

“We made our halftime adjustments and told them, ‘Hey, just settle down. Do what we need to do.’ Then they came around and started closing the gap a little more.”