It was a finish fit for a championship game on Tuesday night as Cherokee and Bishop McGuinness faced off in the N.C. High School Athletic Association 1A western regional championship game at the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Winston-Salem.

Cherokee found itself trailing by as many 12 points, but kept fighting back throughout the second half. The Braves will get a chance to defend its state title after a 65-61 win over Bishop McGuinness.

Daisee Fourkiller-Raby was the hero. With 12 seconds left in the game and the score tied at 61-61, Fourkiller-Raby hit a 3-pointer from the corner in front of the Cherokee bench to give the Braves a 64-61 lead.

Joscelyn Stamper was a big part of the comeback effort. She had seven points in the third quarter and 10 points in the fourth. She tied the game at 59-59 with just over a minute left in the fourth quarter.

Bishop McGuinness’ Adelaide Jernigan, who has signed with NC State, hit a driving lay-up to give the Villains a 61-59 lead with less than one minute to play. But Stamper answered on the other end to tie the game at 61-61.

Fourkiller-Raby’s game-winning shot happened after Bishop McGuinness turned the ball over with a traveling violation. Then Dvdaya Swimmer iced the game with a free throw with three seconds left.

Stamper finished the game with 29 points, 17 of which came in the second half. Fourkiller-Raby had 18 points for the Braves, and Madison Rogers posted 10 points before fouling out of the game.

Bishop McGuinness was led by Jernigan’s 25 points. Jenna Moore added 14 points and Claire Sullivan scored 13 points for the Villains.

This will be the sixth appearance in a girls basketball state championship game for Cherokee, including last year’s championship win. The Braves have won two state titles.

Cherokee will face East Bladen in the championship game on Friday in Winston-Salem. Bishop McGuinness’ season ends with a record of 27-2.