TACOMA — Stephanie McDonagh knew it was in as soon as the ball left her hand.
Brooke Bowen was so excited when the shot went in the basket, she celebrated a little too early.
Didn’t matter.
Four seconds later, it was official: The Skyview Storm were going to the Class 4A girls basketball state semifinals.
McDonagh, a sophomore, swished a 3-pointer with four seconds remaining, lifting the Storm to a 55-54 victory over Federal Way in the opening round of the state tournament Thursday in the Tacoma Dome. Skyview (23-3) will face Gonzaga Prep of Spokane (19-5) in the semifinals 5:30 p.m. Friday.
“It felt good when I let it go,” McDonagh said.
Federal Way (22-5) threw the ball in, but the Eagles never got control of it. The clock ran out without a shot attempt, setting off a Storm celebration.
“When everyone came to get me, I was at a loss for words,” McDonagh said. “My legs were shaking under me. I was so overwhelmed. They were so happy for me. They were all excited because we’re still playing tomorrow.”
It will be Skyview’s first trip to the final four in the championship bracket in the program’s history.
“It’s such a great feeling. I’ve never been here before. It’s a new experience, but it’s so amazing,” said Bowen, who led the Storm with 20 points. “It’s awesome to be here.”
“We worked hard to get here,” McDonagh added. “We had a goal coming into the season, and we’re trying to carry it out.”
The Storm are still in contention for a state title because they refused to collapse Thursday, even after they lost a lead late in the game.
Skyview was up by six going into the fourth quarter and still had a five-point advantage with two minutes remaining. However, the Storm went 2 for 9 at the free-throw line in one stretch, giving the Eagles an opening.
Dyesha Belhumeur and Darah Huertas-Vining each connected on 3-pointers, and Raven Benton’s two free throws with 52 seconds left gave Federal Way a 51-50 advantage. A half-minute later, two more free throws made it a three-point game.
“I believe in my teammates,” Bowen said. “When everything was going down, we just talked to each other. We had to keep it together. We can’t fall apart. No matter what, we can’t give up.”
Skyview’s Katie Swanson did get two free throws to fall with 19 seconds left, and when the Eagles made one of two free throws on the other end, it gave Skyview the option of going for the win with a 3-pointer.
Skyview coach Jennifer Buscher said the Storm were going for a three all the way.
“We believe in these kids,” Buscher said. “The one thing that stands out with me about our team is every game it’s been somebody different. That’s exciting.”
The ball found its way to Swanson, who noticed McDonagh wide open. Never a doubt. Three points. 55-54.
“Right when she shot it, I had a feeling she was going to make it,” Bowen said. “I said, ‘That’s in! That’s in!’ I jumped too early. I forgot I had to get back on defense. I was just so glad she made it. I’m proud of her. I’m proud of everyone. We just never gave up.”
Bowen finished 8 of 12 from the floor with two 3-pointers. She also grabbed six rebounds. Swanson ended up with 15 points, six rebounds, and five assists. McDonagh’s game-winner gave her seven points. Jocelyn Adams led the Storm with seven rebounds.
Benton, who went 8 for 8 from the line, led the Eagles with 18 points.
The Storm, who trailed by three at the half and then eight midway through the third quarter, used a 14-0 run to end the period to go up by six.
Both teams made their first four field goals of the fourth quarter before the Storm started missing free throws.
Those misses would have been the key to the game had the Storm lost.
Instead, a confident stroke from a sophomore put Skyview into the final four.
SKYVIEW 55, FEDERAL WAY 54
SKYVIEW (23-3) — Brooke Bowen 20, Katie Swanson 15, Stephanie McDonagh 7, Jocelyn Adams 6, Aubrey Ward-El 5, Larissa Hamilton 2, Delaney Keser 0. Totals 22-49 (4-9) 7-15 55.
FEDERAL WAY (22-5) — Raven Benton 18, Darah Huertas-Vining 13, Dyesha Belhumeur 12, Jasmine McEachin 8, Tania Velasco Bono 2, Jamie Jones 1, Mariyah Vongsaveng 0, Sadie Bynum 0, Lamonica Jackson 0. Totals 17-47 (4-10) 16-20 54.
Skyview 9 13 14 19–55
Federal Way 8 17 5 24–54
