Ramsay’s girls were just one game over .500 last year and punched a ticket to the Class 5A state finals the next.

With the Rams marking the fourth program coach Jarvis Wilson has taken to a state semifinal appearance, his players couldn’t help but crack a joke.

“We said the other day that I don’t have magic dust to throw across their heads so they can go to a final four,” the first-year Ramsay coach laughed. “It comes with hard work and discipline. They just bought into everything we’ve asked them to do.”

Regardless of the lack of tricks Wilson has up his sleeve, the Rams’ magical run this season isn’t quite over yet.

The Class 5A No. 1 Rams sit one win away from a state title after a 65-53 win over Marbury in the state semifinals on Wednesday.

Ramsay will face Class 5A No. 2 Scottsboro in the state title game on Saturday at 9 a.m.

“These young ladies here, great job tonight,” Wilson said. “They haven’t been here on this stage, and so we were kind of worried about the way we’ll come out. We came out a little slow for our standards, but free throws killed us; us five to 21 on free throws. I know at halftime, that’s something that we really put emphasis on, but it’s something that we also talked about when you get to this stage how important the small things are.

“I think we got a wake-up call today as far as with our free throws going on, and understanding the sense of urgency.”

Despite Ramsay leading the matchup for all but 1:44 of the matchup, the back-and-forth game saw a tough Marbury squad make it a one-possession game throughout the contest.

The Rams led 31-28 at halftime before a 17-9 third quarter that stretched the lead.

“Their ability to hit the 3-ball, they have big guards, so they are very, very strong as far as driving to the basket, small things like that right there can become big things that can hurt a team,” Wilson said.

The Rams’ offense was led by a near-perfect night from the field by Camilyah Rowe, who went 11-for-13 from the field and piled up 23 points; she also added six rebounds and three steals.

“I just know I can’t let my team down,” the sophomore said. “We still haven’t had our best game yet, but I know I’ve got to come through for my team, and we also got to communicate.”

The Rams also saw a triple-double from Nayla Welsey, who piled up 10 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.

Marbury’s Gabrielle Bown added 23 points of her own, going 10-for-15 from the field and grabbing 6 rebounds for the Bulldogs.

“Like I just told my girls, a lot of kids play their entire high school career and don’t even make it to this point,” Marbury coach Reginald Brown said. “I told them there’s nothing to hold their head down about. I know they’ve worked hard over the last four years; I’ve got a group of six seniors, and they’ve been working for me for the last four years.

“I just want to let them know that I appreciate them. I appreciate them getting us to this point, and it’s been a good ride.”

Star of the game: Rowe led the Rams’ offensive surge, but Wesley’s triple-double aided Ramsay on both sides of the ball in the win.

Stat sheet: Ramsay — Kayden May totaled 16 points and was 6-for-13 from the field, adding 2 rebounds. McKenzie Davis also scored in double figures with 12 points, also adding 4 rebounds and 3 assists. Mayliyah Green grabbed 4 rebounds and Breonna Williams scored 4 points off the bench.

By the numbers: Ramsay shot 28-for-57 from the field and 5-for-21 from the free throw line in the win, knocking down four 3-point baskets. The Rams outscored Maubury 46-26 in the paint and 20-8 off turnovers. Marbury finished 21-for-51 from the field and 5-for-11 from the charity stripe, outbounding Ramsay 36-33. The Rams forced 20 turnovers and grabbed 15 steals.

Did you know? Ramsay is chasing its first state basketball title since 2007, which marked the last of four straight state championships for the Rams from 2004-2007.

They said it: “She did a good job as far as getting the boards for us, giving us opportunities to get into the fast break. That’s what Nayla does. She’s very versatile.” — Ramsay coach Jarvis Wilson on Nayla Wilsonm who had a triple-double.

“It’s not our first time. There’s a couple games we got down in the season, and this team, they’re very resilient and they get after basketball, but Ramsay is a very athletic team, and they got on the boards a little bit with her just in the first half. I know my girls, they were going to continue to fight until the last horn, and that’s what we’ve been preaching the whole year. That’s what I expect out of them.” — Marbury coach Reginald Brown on the season.