BROOKINGS – Hamlin scored 16 unanswered points in the third quarter to fuel a 52-38 semifinal win over West Central in the State A Girls’ Basketball Tournament Thursday night.

The Chargers, 23-2 on the season, are back in the state championship game for the second straight season. Hamlin will face St. Thomas More for the title at 7:45 this evening. The Chargers lost to Aberdeen Roncalli in last year’s final.

West Central led 34-33 before Hamlin went on its game-altering run. The by time the Trojans scored again, Hamlin had a commanding 49-34 advantage.

Kami Wadsworth had six points during the surge for Hamlin, which received points from four different players in the run.

Hamlin outscored West Central by 18 points from three-point range, led by Brooklyn Brandriet with five treys.

Brandriet finished with 17 points to lead the victory. Wadsworth followed with 13, Addison Neuendorf had eight, and Ally Abraham added seven.

Rylee Haldeman topped West Central with 14 points. Tabor Teel contributed 10.

HAMLIN (23-2): Addison Neuendorf 2 2-2 8, Brooklyn Brandriet 5 2-2 17, Ally Abraham 3 0-0 7, Kami Wadsworth 4 5-5 13, Marissa Bawdon 2 0-0 2, Zoie Fraser 2 0-0 5. Totals 17-41 9-11 52.

WEST CENTRAL (22-3): Rylee Haldeman 7 0-0 14, Tabor Teel 4 2-2 10, Addy Kramer 1 5-6 7, Josslin Jarding 3 0-0 7. Totals 15-51 7-8 38.

Hamlin 11 20 33 52

West Central 9 22 32 38

3-point field goals – Jarding; Neuendorf 2, Brandriet 5, Abraham, Fraser. Total fouls – Hamlin 10; West Central 17. Rebounds – Hamlin 35 (Brandriet 8, Abraham 6, Wadsworth 6); West Central 26 (Teel 7, Kramer 7). Turnovers – Hamlin 26; West Central 7. Assists – Hamlin 12; West Central 1. Steals – Hamlin 3; West Central 11.