The girls basketball team won their first game at the state tournament Wednesday, defeating Blue Valley North 55-45 at Wichita State’s Koch Arena. Head coach Jerrod Handy says the Eagles still have things to work on.

“Just keep working on our defense and rebounding,” Handy said. “Rebounding is key. We got to do a better job of boxing out rebounding.”

Brianna Johnson led the team with 21 points. Junior Daley Handy scored 11.

The Eagles (19-4) will play for a spot in the title game at 3 p.m. Friday, taking on Manhattan. Manhattan (22-1) defeated Shawnee Mission West Wednesday.

“If we can box out and play defense, I think we have a shot,” Handy said.

The girls started the game on a 6-0 run, but Blue Valley North slowly reeled them in to take a 26-21 lead at the half. Maize had trouble with fouls, picking up 10 in the first half. Nine of them were by starters.

But the Lady Eagles worked their way back during the third quarter and led 38-35 after entering the fourth quarter thanks to Saige Baalman’s three-pointer in the closing seconds of the period.

Blue Valley North moved back on top in the fourth quarter, and the teams traded the lead. But Maize went on a 13-2 run to end the game.

“We started doing our half-court trap,” Handy said. “That kind of messed them up a lot.”