Myah Selland, 6’1″, 8th grade.

Not a nail in the arena was left unchewed Friday night as the Lady Blackhawks sweated through four heart-stopping quarters in the Region 5B title game versus Mitchell Christian, to squeak by in the final seconds with a 53-47 victory.

The girls from Sanborn Central and Woonsocket schools showed their determination, refusing to quit as the Golden Eagles tested their abilities, leading through the better part of three quarters.

After getting off to a somewhat rocky start, SC/W fought back to come within one point at the end of the first quarter, but the Golden Eagles were still able to spread their lead to seven going into the half.

The Blackhawks flew out of the locker room in the second half with new vigor, holding MCS to just six points and ending the quarter in a 37-all tie. In the fourth quarter the players and crowd began to taste victory as SC/W and MCS battled back and forth trading the lead.

MCS came out in the final quarter  to grab a three point lead, but SC/W fought back yet again tying it up at 41 with under five minutes in the game.

The final minutes kept everyone on the edge of their seats, as the Eagles and Blackhawks traded the lead twice more. An underneath score by Shelby Selland landed the Hawks up by one with just under four and a half to play, but MCS answered back with a three-pointer by Khiree Held putting the score at 43-44.

Rachelle Moore, 5’7″, senior

After a minute and a half of hard defense and no score, the game became a battle of three’s as the Hawks set up Marissa Weber on the left wing for her second three-pointer of the night.

Held answered almost immediately with her fourth and final three-pointer of the game, to gain her team yet another lead at 47-46. The Hawks were not deterred, however, as they worked to get Weber open again in almost the same spot for another three points to grab the lead for the final time with 1:45 left on the clock.

The Golden Eagles wouldn’t score again, as the Hawks, who’s fouls had put MCS in the bonus, tried not to commit any more. Conversely, MCS was forced to foul, eventually putting SC/W in the bonus and giving Rachelle Moore and Shelby Selland the chance to lock up the win at the line, going 2-for-2 and 2-for-3, to put the final score at 53-47.

Shelby Selland led the Hawks in scoring with 18 points and Weber chipped in 11, including her three three-pointers, along with three assists. Myah Selland enjoyed a well-rounded night with 11 points, five rebounds and three steals.

Moore also put in 10 points in the win and Rachel Selland got her name in the books with three points and five rebounds.

Mitchell Christian ended their season at 15-7 and was led in the loss by Khiree Held with 14 points, including four three-pointers. Alexa VanLaecken added 13 points and Becca Glanzer chipped in 11.

SC/W grabbed 23 rebounds to the Golden Eagles’ 24 and had eight steals compared with five by MCS. The Lady Hawks forced 21 turnovers, while committing 16.

The Blackhawks improved to 22-1 with the win and finished 19-of-44 from the field and 12-of-16 from the line. MCS went 16-of-35 from the floor and 10-of-15 from the charity stripe.

The Hawks have been seeded number four in the State B Tournament and will meet number five Sully Buttes Thursday at 1:45 p.m. in the Huron Arena.