Belle Hill and Madie Sain combined for 38 points as Mars Hill Bible knocked off Cold Springs 60-50 to advance to their second consecutive Class 2A state championship game.

Hill, a 6-foot eighth-grader who was MVP of the Panthers state championship win over the Eagles last season, scored 20 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in the win.

“My teammates are always pushing me,” Hill said. “I am so grateful for the opportunity, and I am excited for another chance to win it.”

Sain, who added 18 points and 10 rebounds, hit 7 straight points from the perimeter after Cold Springs had cut to game to a single bucket at 31-29.

“I noticed that they dropping down low,” the 5-6 senior said. “They left me open and I was able to take advantage of it.”

Cold Springs opened the game on a 10-2 run behind Ella Brier, who led the Eagles with 14 points. Paizley Whitlow, Kayla Taylor and Ciara Calvert each added 10 points in the loss.

Star of the game: Hill was 8-of-18 from the field and 4-of-6 from the free-throw line. Hill, whose mom played at Alabama, is only an eighth grader.

Stat sheet: Mars Hill Bible (24-5) shot 46 percent from the field and held Cold Springs (27-5) to 36 percent shooting, including 25 percent from beyond the 3-point arc.

Coachspeak: “Cold Springs has a great team, and it was a fight today. I really proud of our girls.” – Mars Hill Bible coach Flori Sweatt

“These seniors are the closest thing to coaching my daughter. I hurt for them because they are good kids and not because we lost. Two years ago, I never thought it was possible for us to make it here. Now, we have done it in back-to-back seasons.” – Cold Springs coach Tammy West

By the numbers: The Panthers will be going for their ninth state championship and second in a row.

Did you know? Only three players on the Mars Hill Bible are old enough to drive.

Next up: Mars Hill Bible takes on the winner of Ider/Luverne game on Friday at 9 a.m. for the state championship.