BLOOMINGTON —  Overcoming all obstacles, including one they could not have foreseen, the Annawan Bravettes played their way to the IHSA 1A State finals, defeating Gilman Iroquois West 45-40 at Illinois Wesleyan's Shirk Center.

The day started with All-State center Celina VanHyfte suffering an ankle injury during a walk-through Monday morning at school. While VanHyfte did play 11 minutes in the second half, she did not score.

Annawan coach Jason Burkiewicz said he told his team that "Celina's had us on her back for so long that it was time to have hers … We thought this could be a defining moment for our program."