Down five points to start the final quarter, the top-seeded Harrisburg Lady Bulldogs took their final lead with less than a minute to play, earning a slim 45-44 victory over second-seeded Westran for the Class 2 District crown Saturday afternoon in Glasgow.

The Hornets had an upset on their minds, starting fast out of the gate. They repeatedly pounded the ball inside to senior Emma Wortman, who scored six first-quarter points as Westran jumped ahead 16-6 lead after eight minutes.

“We tried to play behind Wortmann, but she got going in the first half. We switched up at the half and fronted her in the second half,” Harrisburg coach Jaryt Hunziker explained.

The Lady Bulldogs gained momentum in the second quarter, led by senior Avelina McKinzie, who scored seven points in the period. Consistent scoring allowed Harrisburg to set up its press, which caused the Hornets trouble throughout the contest. Harrisburg closed within six points, 26-20, at the half.

The Lady Bulldogs came out on fire in the third period, setting the tone with an 11-2 run, to take a 31-28 lead with 4:01 left in the quarter. Westran regrouped after a timeout, answering with an 8-0 run of its own. Wortmann scored all eight points.

“Basketball is a game of runs,” Hunziker explained. “We went on our run, and then they went on theirs. I told the girls we needed to handle it, and we did.”

Harrisburg again regrouped at the break and started the fourth quarter with an eight-point run. Westran answered with a two-point shot and then took a quick timeout, down 39-38.

The Hornets got a stop and hit a 3-pointer to pull back in front 41-39, forcing Harrisburg to take a timeout with 2:39 left.

Harrisburg junior Jaidyn Stephenson hit her second triple of the quarter to once again switch the lead. The Hornets responded by hitting one of two free throws on the other end to tie the game.

Harrisburg junior Macklynn ‘Poppy’ Spry hit the second of two free throws to give her team the lead. The score allowed the Lady Bulldogs to set up their press, and junior Lorelai Hunziker jumped up and tipped a blocked pass toward her basket. McKinzie corralled the batted pass and took it in for an uncontested layup.

Westran took a timeout down three with 25 seconds remaining. The Hornets drew a foul on their press-breaker, making both buckets to get within one.

Westran fouled immediately, and after two missed free throws, the Hornets had the ball for the last shot. The 3-pointer to win the game went long, and the Lady Bulldogs corralled it, securing the 45-44 victory.

“Jaidyn and Avelina stepped up and hit some big shots for us tonight,” Hunziker said. “Our team just likes to battle, and we did that tonight against a tough Westran team. We’ve been in a lot of close games like this throughout the year, so it’s something we’re used to.”

McKinzie led Harrisburg, scoring 21 points. Hunziker had eight points, and Spry and Stephenson each posted six for the Lady Bulldogs.

Harrisburg raises their record to 22-6 on the season and will host second-ranked Tipton on Tuesday evening, looking to avenge a conference loss earlier in the season on the road.

“Our team likes to battle, and we will have another one on Tuesday,” Hunziker said. “They’re very good, one of the best teams in the state, but we’re going to battle them and try to be the team that moves on.”

Tipton (24-4) cruised to its eighth-straight district championship after defeating Cole Camp 82-25 in the semifinals and New Franklin 53-17 in Saturday’s championship. The Lady Cardinals are one of the standard-bearers in all of Class 2 girls’ basketball, making it to the state quarterfinals in four of the previous five seasons with a state title in 2023.