By Tim Clinton

SPORTS EDITOR

Kennedy Catholic earned a 9 a.m. Thursday return trip to the Tacoma Dome to play Gonzaga Prep by pulling off a 52-49 win over Chiawana in its loser-out state Class 4A girls basketball opener Wednesday morning.

The Lancers trailed by one at 49-48 when Jayden Fitzgerald stole the ball away from the River Hawks, drew a foul and iced both free throws for a sudden 50-49 advantage with 25.1 seconds to play.

Teammate Britain Brooks sealed the deal with a pair of charity tosses with 7.5 seconds left after a missed Chiawana basket at the other end.

"We didn't expect to get the steal on the ball," said Kennedy Catholic head coach Michael Brooks.  "We thought it would be on the pass."

The Lancers looked like they might cruise to victory early, as Paige Nadarski buried three 3-point baskets in a row to turn a 12-12 tie into a 21-12 lead in the second quarter.

Kennedy Catholic was out front, 22-14, when the first half ended and held a 26-14 lead early in the third quarter.

Chiawana still trailed, 40-32, at the end of the third quarter, then made a run at the Lancers for a 49-47 lead before Kennedy Catholic won it in the end.

"We had to lock in and focus," coach Brooks said.  "We had to execute what we needed to do."

Nadarski led the Lancers with 17 points as Fitzgerald finished with 15 and Brooks with 14.

Gabriela King hauled down a team-high 11 rebounds and Izzy McDonough had seven.

Fitzgerald led with three assists.