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Heritage Christian Academy is going to the girls' basketball state tournament for the second consecutive year after defeating Christ's Household of Faith 60-47 on Friday in the Class 1A, Section 4 championship at Anoka-Ramsey Community College.

The Eagles did it by grabbing the lead early and playing efficient basketball.

"Offensively, I thought our girls did a nice job of just trying to run a little bit of clock, and look for layups,'' Heritage Christian coach Lori Crellin said.

Heritage Christian (26-2) took a 10-0 lead in the first three minutes of the game and extended the lead to 39-25 over the Lions (15-11) at halftime after Taylie Scott made a long three-point buzzer-beater.

"I think they had just scored, and I was a little frustrated, so I was just like, ''K, well my coach said, you know what to do,' " Scott said. "So I dribbled up the court and let it fly."

The Eagles led by 10 or more points for all of the second half.

Scott and junior guard Kirstin Robbins each led the Eagles with 20 points. CHOF senior forward Ari Geerdes scored 18 points.

Jack Warrick