Barrow vs Monroe Catholic: State Championship Showdown

0:00In Anchorage today, March 20. In the Girls 3A State Basketball Tournament, semi-finals at the Alaska Airlines Center, top-seated Barrow beat fourth-seated Grace Christian 50 to 39, while second-seated Monroe Catholic top-six third-seated Canai Central 52 to 32. Both winners punched their tickets to Saturday's championship game on March 21. Barrow finally got the upper hand on their rivals Grace Christian, the three-time defending champs after close calls and past title games. A big 9-0 run to start the fourth quarter blew the game open, sealing the win despite a late push from the Grizzlies. Senior Zeta Unutoa earned player of the game honors for Barrow with her strong work on the boards and passing, even holding Grace to just eight. Points. Fans from Okiyagvik packed the arena, giving the wailers a huge boost as they stay undefeated against 3A foes this season. Over in the other semi, Monroe Catholic snapped a 21-year finals drought with a dominant

1:01performance, leading wire to wire and limiting Canai. To single digits, most quarters. Senior Emerson Cortez picked up a player of the game after scoring all 10 of her points in the first half. Now Barrow faces Monroe Catholic in the 130 p.m. finals with both teams riding high momentum into what promises to be an epic matchup for the state crown.