The third-seeded Cougars thwarted a fourth quarter comeback attempt by the top-seeded Lynx to claim their first regional title in nearly two decades.
Service's Aryanna Watson pulls up for the game-winning shot with Dimond's Maile Wilcox in the Cougars' 39-38 win over the Lynx in the Region IV championship game on March 9, 2024, at West Anchorage high school.
Service was given a sliver of hope and a chance to pull off a miracle of their own after a backcourt violation called on Dimond gave them the ball back and Watson proceeded to seize the moment by knocking down a mid-range jumper at the buzzer to secure a 39-38 victory. The two teams had faced off three times this season prior to Saturday’s fourth bout at West High School in the regional finals. Each of their previous matchups went down to the wire and were decided by five or fewer points, a trend that continued in the title game except this time around, the Cougars were the ones that emerged victorious.
Service quickly built their first double-digit lead of the game early in the third quarter and outscored Dimond 13-3 to take a 15-point lead into the final eight minutes with all the momentum on their side but it wouldn’t last. A layup from Lynx junior and leading scorer Evan Hamey gave her team the lead back with two and a half minutes left to play but Cougars didn’t fold or wilt under pressure and ultimately prevailed and feel like one of the most dangerous teams heading into the 2024 ASAA 4A state tournament which will take place next week.