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Nazareth girls win 26th state title, down Saltillo in Texas UIL Class 1A-II state championship; live updates, recap

Swiftettes cruise to 26th state championship in program history in dominant fashion

Levi Payton

Nazareth's girls won their 26th state championship in program history on Thursday morning, Feb. 27, besting Saltillo 53-31 in the Class 1A Division II state championship inside the Alamodome in San Antonio.
Nazareth's girls won their 26th state championship in program history on Thursday morning, Feb. 27, besting Saltillo 53-31 in the Class 1A Division II state championship inside the Alamodome in San Antonio. / Annie Rice/For the Avalanche-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Surprise, surprise. The Nazareth Swiftettes are back in the state finals.

For the 31st time in program history, No. 5 Nazareth is back in the big game after winning it in all in 2022-2023. The Swiftettes will be seeking their 26th state title in program history when they take No. 11 Saltillo.

Opening tip is slated for 11 a.m. inside the Alamodome in San Antonio.

Saltillo (34-6) is riding a hot hand. Since losing three consecutive to Pittsburg (Dec. 17), Broaddus (Dec. 26), and Tenaha (Dec. 27), the Lady Lions have won 18 straight entering Thursday’s final.

As a team, the Lady Lions have scored 2,030 points while surrendering 1,255 on defense. Comparatively, Swiftettes (28-9) have 2,019 points and given up just 1,130.

Nazareth got here with a convincing 41-15 victory over Jayton in their state semifinal. Prior to that, the Swiftettes beat Pringle-Morse (67-29) in the Bi-District round, McLean 64-36 in an area game, Sands 56-21 in the region semifinals and Texline 54-35 to win the Region 1 championship.

They had some blowout wins this season – beating Springlake-Earth 103-23 and 81-8, Lazbuddie 88-21, Hart 92-20 and 82-8 and Silverton 83-15.

The Lady Lions beat Zavalla 42-29 in the state semifinal. They began these playoffs with a 70-53 Bi-District win over Ladonia Fannindel before beating Bellevue (57-38), Stephenville Huckaby (30-24) and Milford (58-30) for the Region 3 title.

Check back often as we will provide live updates throughout the entirety of the game once it starts. You can also follow on NFHS Network.

Texas UIL girls basketball Class 1A-Division II state championship: No. 5 Nazareth vs. No. 11 Saltillo; live updates, recap

Starters for today's state championship:

Saltillo: Bailey Redar, Shelby Ricketson, Alana Britian, Lani Dean, Addi Pipkin

Nazareth: Brooklyn Birkenfeld, Emmerson Moore, Jolee Pigg, Kambri Clevenger, Madison Brockman

FIRST PERIOD

Nazareth jumps out to a 4-0 lead early on baskets from Brooklyn Birkenfeld and Kambri Clevenger.

Nazareth's defense has been locked in early on. The Swiftettes lead 10-1 with 3:45 left in the first.

Saltillo has began the game 0-for-7 from the field. Nazareth has hit five of six shots. It's 12-3 with 1:38 left in the period.

At the end of the first quarter, Nazareth leads Saltillo 14-4.

Brooklyn Birkenfeld had six points in the first to lead all scorers.

SECOND PERIOD

Nazareth's defense continues to be suffocating. Saltillo gets its first basket with 6:30 left in the first half on a runner by Bailey Reder to make it 14-6. Brikenfeld answers on the next possession to make it 16-6.

Birkdenfeld has been fantastic in the early going. She scores underneath the basket and gets fouled on the play. The foul shot completes the 3-point play, and she now has 11 points midway through the second quarter. She's made all four of her shots so far.

With 3:41 to go in the first half, Nazareth leads 19-9.

Addi Pipkin sinks two free throws for the Lady Lions with 3:24 to go in the half to trim Nazareth's lead to 19-11.

Saltillo has spent most of its time with the ball at the free throw line. The Lady Lions have shot 14 foul shots.

At the half, Nazareth leads Saltillo 26-11. The Swiftettes went on a 7-0 run in the final 2 minutes, 30 seconds.

Halftime notes: Saltillo's offense turned the ball over eight times in the first half. ... Nazareth's 6-foot power forward, Birkenfeld was perfect from the field in the first half, making all five of her shots and finishing the half with 15 points. ... Saltillo began the half making only one of its first nine shots. ... Most of the damage has been done in the paint and at the free throw line today, as neither team made a 3-pointer in the first half. ... Jolee Pigg and Taylor Wethington had four points apiece for the Swiftettes, while Kambri Clevenger and Madison Brockman each had two. ... Bailey Redar has six points to lead the Lady Lions, while Lani Dean and Addi Pipkin have two apiece.

THIRD PERIOD

Thee it is. The first 3-pointer of the game. Sophomore Jolee Pigg hits a trey to start the second half for Nazareth. It's 29-11.

Birkenfeld gets in on the fun with a long 3-pointer of her own at the 5:22 mark of the third period to push Nazareth's lead to 33-13. Saltillo answers with a basket from Alana Britian and calls timeout. It's 33-15 with 4:51 to go in the third.

Saltillo commits its 15th turnover of the game with 4:04 left in the third.

Jolee Pigg continues to be a problem for Saltillo in the second half. She hits another basket and has now made five of six shots. The sophomore is stepping up on the big stage.

Nazareth closes the third period on an 8-0 run and leads 41-15 entering the final period.

FOURTH PERIOD

Saltillo's offense came alive a bit here in the fourth. After missing their first seven 3-point attempts, the Lady Lions have now hit three in a row, including back-to-back from Shelby Ricketson. It's 47-24 with 2:26 to go.

With 38 seconds to go, Nazareth leads 57-29.

Final: Nazareth 53, Saltillo 31

Nazareth got an outstanding performance from its defense and senior Brooklyn Birkenfeld took -home MVP honors with a game-high 22 points, three rebounds, two blocks and an assist while shooting 7-of-11 from the field and 7-of-11 from the free throw line.

Saltillo got hot in the second half, making four 3-pointers after missing all seven attempts from long range in the first half.

Jolee Pigg had eight points for the Swiftettes, while Emerson Moore Kambri Clevenger and Lexi Ramaekers had four apiece.

Bailey Redar had eight points for Saltillo, Shelbi Ricketson added six and Lani Dean had five.

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Levi Payton
LEVI PAYTON

Levi’s sports journalism career began in 2005. A Missouri native, he’s won multiple Press Association awards for feature writing and has served as a writer and editor covering high school sports as well as working beats in professional baseball, NCAA football, basketball, baseball and soccer. If you have a good story, he’d love to tell it.

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