BLOOMFIELD -- Top-seeded Notre Dame will face second-seeded Kelly in the 2A District 2 girls championship game on Friday night at Bloomfield High School.
In Wednesday's semifinal games, Notre Dame advanced with an 81-32 blowout win over Scott City, while Kelly nipped Charleston, 53-50. Friday's championship will start at 6 p.m.
The Lady Hawks overcame a 10-point halftime deficit, then held off a late Charleston rally to pull out the win and qualify for the finals.
"Charleston is a very good and talented basketball team," said Kelly coach Rod McQuerter. "I'm just glad our girls were able to get the victory. It was a good team win for us."
Kelly Essner and Dana Essner came through with some clutch free throws late to hold off the surging Lady Bluejays. Kelly Essner led the Lady Hawks in scoring with 17 points, followed by Dana with 14.
For the Lady Bluejays, Missy Whitney dominated, scoring a game-high 29 points. She was the only Charleston player to finish in double figures.
"For us, everything starts with defense," said McQuerter. "We've been preaching defense and teamwork since day one."
Charleston ends its memorable season with a record of 20-4. Kelly improves to 23-4, and now gets another shot at Notre Dame.
"We're excited to be in the championship game," said McQuerter. "That has been our goal all along, because we couldn't do it last year. Notre Dame is a very good team. We just want to come out and play hard against them. You must rebound the ball and defend against Notre Dame. They're very discipline and well coached. You have to be very patient and try to match their intensity."
Notre Dame is now just one win away from its sixth straight district title.
The Lady Bulldogs (24-2) jumped out to a 30-9 lead in the first quarter and never looked back, outscoring Scott City in every quarter.
Deana McCormick led Notre Dame with 18 points, followed by Lisa Millham and Ashley Millham with 14 each. Sommer McCauley contributed 11.
Loren Groves paced Scott City with 18 points.
Notre Dame has now won 13 straight.