The biggest play of Trinity’s basketball season may have been a missed free throw.

Sophomore Francie Morris missed the back end of a 1-and-1 with 41 seconds left Tuesday afternoon and her team clinging to a 49-47 lead over Susan Moore in the Class 3A state semifinals.

“I was like, ‘Please Lord help me make this shot,’” Morris said. “I had to make it for our seniors, but once I released it, I knew it was short.”

That turned out to be a good thing for Trinity.

The Bulldogs didn’t block Morris out, and she grabbed her own rebound. Moments later, Mya Moskowitz scored underneath, and the top-ranked Wildcats held off No. 2 Susan Moore 53-47 at the BJCC’s Legacy Arena.

“They didn’t have anyone on me, so I had to get the rebound,” Morris said. “I just went for it and got it.”

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The Wildcats improved to 31-2 overall and will play for the school’s first girls basketball state title on Friday against Clements. Susan Moore finished 29-4.

“We’ve had a dream to be in the state championship, but to be honest it’s all about the journey,” Trinity coach Blake Smith said. “It’s about working together and loving each other. I hurt a little for Susan Moore. I know coach (Natasha) Smallwood. She has family like we do on the team. It’s a tough thing. So, while I certainly enjoy the victory, there is a little sadness for them.”

Smith’s three daughters – senior Emma Kate, sophomore Maddie and seventh-grader Lilly – all start for Trinity. Smallwood’s daughters – senior Cali and ninth-grader Lani – start for Susan Moore.

“I’m very proud of my girls,” Natasha Smallwood said of her team. “I always have been and always will be. Having to do a speech after a loss is not fun. It’s not easy. You are never prepared, especially when you have a lot of seniors.”

Trinity built a 17-point second-quarter lead and never trailed. The Wildcats led 29-18 at the half before Susan Moore slowly chipped away. The Bulldogs closed the third quarter with a 13-4 run, trimming the deficit to 40-37 heading to the fourth.

They tied the game twice in the opening minutes – once at 40-40 on Cesa Hernandez’s 3-pointer and again at 42-42 on a pair of free throws by Lani Smallwood with 3:41 left.

“We had to step up our defense and put a little pressure on them,” Natasha Smallwood said. “We needed to find a way to capitalize on their mistakes if we could get some turnovers, and that is what got us back in it.”

Trinity broke the tie with two free throws each from Moskowitz and Maddie Smith, but Susan Moore cut the lead to 48-47 on Marisa Bryan’s 3-pointer, setting up Morris’ key plays in the final minute.

Star of the game: Morris wasn’t the leading scorer for her team, but she came up big in the final minute. She finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds.

“She is relentless, and some of her biggest plays come after mistakes,” Blake Smith said of Morris.

Stat sheet: Trinity – Maddie Smith had 20 points, six rebounds, three steals and two assists. Moskowitz followed with 16 points, including 13 in the second half. Susan Moore – Lacey Floyd and Lani Smallwood each scored 14. Floyd had eight rebounds. Bryan scored 10.

Holding down the stars: Both teams did a good job defensively on the other team’s biggest star. Susan Moore’s Cali Smallwood scored four points, all on free throws. She was 0-of-1 from the field. She fouled out late. Trinity’s Emma Kate Smith also scored just four points. She was 2-of-13 from the field.

By the numbers: Trinity had advantages in points in the paint (20-12) and second-chance points (12-4). The Wildcats were 16-of-22 from the foul line. Susan Moore was 11-of-13. Trinity outrebounded Susan Moore 36-26.

They said it:

“Trinity has a really good team. They play very hard. We had a slow start, and I knew it would be hard to come back. I knew we could if we got our offense going. We just came up short today. It wasn’t our day, and we have to live with that.” – Natasha Smallwood.

“As a senior, we put in a lot of work and time people don’t see. Coming up short is devastating, but I’m glad we got to experience all we did. We made a sisterhood and a family.” – Bryan.

Next up: Trinity will play Clements for the Class 3A state title at 12:30 p.m. Friday.