SEATTLE - Desire and determination nearly detoured domination on Saturday, March 8, at the Bank of America Arena in Hec Edmundson Pavilion.

Reaching back into their reservoir of resolve, the John F. Kennedy Lancers of Burien staged a riveting fourth quarter comeback before being turned asunder by the heavily favored No.1 in the state Auburn-Riverside Ravens, 48-40, in the championship match up of the 2008 Class 3A girls state basketball tournament.

Although JFK's only three losses were to the Ravens, each time the deficit was less against a squad that has not lost to a Washington opponent since December, 2006. Riverside was 21-0 against in state competition this season.

With the victory, the young Lancers earned their first state hardware since a 2002 seventh-place finish. The Ravens earned their second consecutive state title.

"This game came down to two things for us," explained Kennedy head coach Tom Mummert. "It was taking care of the ball and boxing off turnovers."

Another factor was 8-for-21 shooting from the free throw line.

"You don't miss 13 free throws in a state championship game and expect to win," he continued. "It's just focus and concentration."

After one quarter, the Lancers trailed 14-6 and found their passing and driving lanes clogged by dogged Raven defenders. Riverside turned 19 JFK first half turnovers into 19 points en route to a 31-15 halftime dominance despite eight first half points from Daidra Brown of Kennedy and mustered a 35-17 margin later in the third quarter.

Yasmine Fuller directed a 6-0 Kennedy run to draw the Lancers within 35-23.

Although the Riverside lead never reached more than 18, it was always at least 12 points as the Ravens methodically pulled away to a 41-28 lead going into the fourth quarter.

Like tired boxers securing a second wind, Kennedy's furious fight for first place took on gigantic proportions early in the final quarter when Fuller's three-point basket brought the Lancers within 41-31.

JFK (24-3) forced the action on defense, holding Riverside (25-3) without a field goal for the final six minutes of the game, while pressuring the Ravens into 14 second half turnovers.

As numerous opportunities to grab a large bite out of the lead presented themselves, Kennedy misfired on five straight free throws, including the front ends of a pair of one-and-one situations after trailing 43-33.

Andrea Goins converted the second of two charity tosses to strip the deficit to 43-36. Jasmine Lemon gnawed away at the Lancer disadvantage even further on a floater just ahead of the shot clock buzzer as she drove down the middle of the key and Kennedy was within 44-38 with 1:44 remaining in regulation.

At this point, Auburn-Riverside converted four straight free throws inside the final 50 seconds to offset Allie Madison's basket for the Lancers with eight seconds remaining.

"Toward the end, we had to fight and play strong to show that we could get close to Auburn-Riverside," stated Lancer sophomore Yasmine Fuller, who finished with 10 points and earned all-tournament first team honors.

All-tournament second teamer Brown joined Fuller in double figures with 11 points. Goins cleared 10 rebounds to go with six points. The rest of the Lancer scorers were Lemon (6), Aminah Williams (3), Allie Madison (2) and Smith (2).

Mercedes Wetmore led the way for the Ravens with 18 points. Stephanie Egwuatu gathered 10 rebounds and seven points.

Kennedy's tournament player roster includes Presley Nuefeld, Jasmine Lemon, Jamie Yellam, Chelsea Lockart, Yasmine Fuller, Daidra Brown, Andrea Goins, Jasmine Lambert, Aminah Williams, Ashley Smith, Allie Madison and Kelsie Farnam.

Assisting head coach Mummert are Karisa Mummert and Cari Britt. Tria Riggins and Allison Stone are the managers.