WICHITA, Kan. (Catch it Kansas) - An unbelievable showdown in the 6A State Semifinals ends with Derby on top of Blue Valley, 51-49 in double overtime.

Derby overcame a 1st half in which it scored just one field goal, and shot 6.7% for the half. And while the shooting never picked up much steam, Derby forced their way to the line for 34 free throws, hitting 23 of them. It was the difference in the game.

“The goal all year is to get to the final game and have a chance,” said Derby Head Coach Dan Harrison. They had a great game plan but we persevered and showed a toughness. I’m really proud of our girls. They came to play tonight.”

It was a back and forth battle between Derby’s Addy Brown, and Blue Valley’s Jadyn Wooten. Wooten sent the game to OT with a three at the end of regulation, and hit big shot after big shot down the stretch. She finished with 31 points and 8 rebounds.

But Brown gave Derby big buckets when they needed them most. After a slow 1st half, Brown came up big in the 2nd half and the overtimes. She led Derby with another state tournament double-double, 16 points and 10 rebounds.

“That was crazy,” Brown said with a smile after the game. “I’ve been in a game like that before my freshman year, double overtime. We knew we had to stay calm. When you get to state everybody is good. We just have to remain calm and trust each other. It’s all about trust.”

And she knows they still have one more to go.

“We are not done yet. still dancing one more round.”

Derby takes double OT thriller to advance to title game

Panthers top Blue Valley, 51-49