Hamilton High School's girls program rolled into Saturday's Division-I state championship game on a high after previously upsetting #5 seed Red Mountain, #4 seed Tolleson and #1 seed Mesa Mountain View in their past three games of the state playoffs.
But Saturday they would be faced with their toughest test of the season as they would face the nation's top team, the St. Mary's Knights (30-0).
In a previous match-up during the season, the Knights defeated Hamilton on the road, 74-57.
Undefeated on the season and absolutely rolling through their competition, local and abroad, St. Mary's would look to complete an undefeated season and win their second-straight state championship.
St. Mary's would jump out to a quick 8-0 lead in the game's opening minutes after a three-pointer from 6-foot sophomore guard/forward Courtney Ekmark and a long bomb from 5-foot-11 senior guard/forward Shilpa Tummala (Harvard commit).
St. Mary's would then build their lead to a big margin, 20-4, after the game's first period of action.
Hamilton (27-7) would calm down and get back into it in the second period. After an offensive rebound and put-back after being fouled by 5-foot-10 junior Kyndall Adams, Hamilton would climb back, 28-15, after the three-point play from Adams.
But then an offensive rebound and score inside from 6-foot-2 junior post Chantel Osahor, and a driving left-handed layup from 5-foot-9 junior guard Danielle Williams, and St, Mary's would jump back to a 32-15 lead with 3:20 left to play in the half.
St. Mary's would cruise to a big 38-19 halftime lead.
St. Mary's would not slow down one-bit either, as experienced head coach Curtis Ekmark would advise his team to put on the gas in the second half. The Knights would increase their lead to 48-23 with 3:47 left to play in the third period - a 10-4 run by the Knights.
With their strong fullcourt press still on and creating many turnovers, the Knights would take a nice 54-29 lead into the fourth period.
In the fourth quarter, the Knights continued to play the way they have all season - sharing the basketball, pressing, fast-breaking and diving for loose balls. The unselfish Knights would continue to pour it on - winning this year's Division-I state championship with a 65-40 blowout win over a gritty Hamilton team.
The win was the Knight's 30th victory of the season - a season without a blemish. The win also capped off 39 straight wins for the Knights since last season, and the Knights second state championship in a row.
You can also call this year's Lady Knights the National Champions as well.
