San Antonio, Texas: Led by forward Jordyn Merritt and guard Zaria Collins scoring 16 points each, Plano out-hustled Cypress Creek to win the State Semifinal, 64-53, on Friday night. The victory sends Plano to the final for the second time.

Maggie Robbins came up with four key steals to stop Cypress Creek (34-5). She scored five points and had an assist.

LoLo Davenport contributed eight rebounds and 14 points for the Wildcats. Six of her rebounds were on the offensive boards. Guard Katie Ferrell and Davenport each blocked a shot.

Ferrell pulled down six rebounds, including five on defense. Ferrell made six assists and scored six points.

CyCreek made five 3-pointers on 10 tries. Robbins and guard Sophie Fleites nailed 3-pointers for Plano, which made 2 of 13 attempts.

Fleites made both of her two free-throw attempts and finished with five points. Fleites had three assists, three rebounds and one of Plano’s 13 steals.

Plano led, 20-13, after the first quarter, and 28-20 at halftime. In the first half, Collins scored nine points, Merritt had six and Davenport had five points and five rebounds. Three of the steals by Robbins came in the first half.

In the third quarter, Plano outscored CyCreek, 19-18, to carry a 47-38, lead into the fourth quarter.

Game highlights: Forward Emma Halverson finished with an assist, four rebounds and two points. Merritt finished the game with five rebounds. … Mikayla Eddins had one steal.

Cypress Creek guard Rori Harmon made 4-of-5 from 3-point range to lead the Cougars with 23 points. Harmon scored 21 of her 23 points in the second half. CyCreek center Tania Sims finished with 12 points after scoring eight in the opening half.

The Plano girls (34-6) play Converse Judson (34-4) at 8:30 p.m. Saturday for the 6A State Championship at the Alamodome in San Antonio.

Judson’s Rockets defeated the Sachse Mustangs, 71-66, Friday, and will be making their first trip to the state final. Sachse finished at 30-8.

Scouting report; Judson had five players score in double figures against Sachse with forward Desiree Lewis scoring 20 points and gathering four steals, one blocked shot and 16 rebounds (11 on offense). … Judson guard Corina Carter made four 3-pointers and guard Kyra White pumped in three.

Plano will have to find a way to get past forward Heaven Mbaruk, who had two steals, three blocks and nine rebounds (8 on defense). Mbaruk made 4-of-5 free throws.

Judson guard Tiffany McGarity had four steals and three assists.

– Brian Bearden

Story sponsored by Rider Wellness Chiropractic and Cody Johnson Physical Therapy in Allen (Alma and Hedgcoxe).

Plano box score from UIL

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