The Bay Port Girls varsity basketball team was crowned the WIAA sectional champions with their 26-24 win over Arrowhead on March 2 at Manitowoc-Lincoln High School.

The Pirates are headed to the Resch Center for the first appearance since 2000. WIAA state semi-finals will be held on Mar. 8.

The Pirates will compete for a spot in the state championship against fellow one-seed Kimberly at 8:15 p.m. on Fri. March 8.

After a 19-18 halftime score, both teams combined to score just 11 points in the second half. The Warhawks capped off the second half with last-minute free throws to tie the game to force overtime. For the Pirates, it was the second time this season.

In the ensuing overtime, the only two points belonged to the Pirates’ very own Raegan McIntyre in the final seconds of overtime to put the Pirates on top 26-24. Averaging just 6.5 points per game, McIntyre felt that she could put in the final basket to put the Pirates on top.

McIntyre described the final moments before taking the game-winning shot.

“Kenzie [Johnson] cleared out at the perfect time and that allowed me to drive down the right side of the lane,” said McIntyre.

McIntyre told herself that she needed to make it.

“I started screaming and crying,” said McIntyre. “I didn’t know what to feel, I was so excited but in so much shock.”

Junior center Mady Draak shared her hopes of making it to the Resch.

“It [has been] a dream of mine and many of my teammates since we first started to play basketball,”  she said.

Draak said this is the perfect reward for their hard work all season.

The other semi-finals matchup is between a couple of two-seeds: Mukwonago and Middleton.

The winners of both semi-finals will face off in the Division 1 State Championship on Sat. March 9, 2019 with an 8:15 p.m. tip-off.