Hardeeville High defeated C. E Murray 54-53 on Saturday to repeat as Class A girls Lower State champions. Jomanda Smalls scored 24 points.
The Hurricanes advance to next Saturday's 11 a.m. state championship game against Christ Church, which defeated Hardeeville (23-2) in last year's state final. Christ Church defeated Chesterfield 39-31 in double overtime in the Upper State final.
Hardeeville trailed 37-31 at the start of the fourth quarter, but rallied behind Shantis Lee's two 3-pointers and Jomanda Smalls' 11 fourth-quarter points. Shantireya Rivers' steal and layup gave Hardeeville a 54-53 lead with 12.7 seconds remaining in the game.
C.E. Murray turned the ball over on its next possession but Hardeeville gave the ball back with 8.1 seconds left. Smalls forced a jump ball with 4.3 seconds remaining, but the ensuing inbounds pass glanced off Lee and went out off bounds. C.E. Murray took possession with 3.4 seconds remaining, but failed to take a shot as Hardeeville's Shayla Williams deflected a pass.
Hardeeville athletics director Blake Raley said tickets for the state title game in Columbia will be sold for $8 at the school on Monday, beginning at 8 a.m.
In this week's Jasper County Sun, read more about the Hurricanes' win and what has been Hardeeville's source of motivation throughout the playoffs.