ANNAWAN — Overcoming all obstacles, including one they could not have foreseen, the Annawan Bravettes played their way to the IHSA 1A state finals for the first time in school history, defeating Gilman Iroquois West 45-40 in Monday’s Bloomington Supersectional at Illinois Wesleyan’s Shirk Center.

Annawan (29-2) will meet top-ranked and defending state champion Freeport Aquin (29-3) at 12:15 p.m. Friday in the state semifinals at ISU’s Redbird Arena in Normal.

“We are looking forward to going down to Redbird and show the heart and pride this program has been playing with the past few years.  We are not happy just to be there.  We want it all,” Annawan coach Jason Burkiewicz said.