COLUMBUS Miller City closed out the regular season as the No. 1 ranked Division IV girls basketball team in the state, but that lofty status didn t help the Wildcats much yesterday, in their first ever trip to a state tournament.

That played heavily against Miller City yesterday in the state semifinal against Mansfield St. Peter s the school with the most state tournament appearances among this year s final four teams.

St. Peter s (24 2), in its third straight state semifinal and 10th overall, showed plenty of poise down the stretch to post a 54 45 victory before an announced crowd of 8,266 at Value City Arena.

Miller City (25 1) went into the fourth quarter with a one point lead after outscoring St. Peter s 17 5 in the third.

Trailing by 11 at the half, Miller City finished the third quarter with a 15 0 spurt to take a 33 32 lead.

But the Wildcats simply ran out of steam.

Much of the damage was done during the first half when Miller City seemed out of sync. First time jitters led to the Wildcats sinking just 7 of 23 shots (30.4 percent) while committing 10 turnovers.

The uncharacteristic slow start resulted in a 27 16 St. Peter s lead at half.

started the game nervous, Miller City coach Chris Rump said. thought Mansfield Nike Free Run was much more prepared. I think their tournament experience was a factor, especially in the first half.

the second half I thought we played much better, but we just weren t able to hang on in the fourth quarter. tried our best, said Schroeder, who scored 11 points after the break.

was just another solid game for Lynn, Rump said. sort of expect that out of her in big games. It seems like every big game we ve played Lynn comes up with a double double. Wildcats were outscored 22 12 by the Spartans in the final period. St. Peter s, which lost in the state semifinals the last two years, showed much more patience during the final eight minutes.

Diana Reindl, who has signed to play at the University of Toledo, scored 19 points for St. Peter s, to go along with a team best seven Nike Free Run rebounds, and said the previous state tournament experience at the Schottenstein Center helped.

looked at it as if it was just another gym we were playing in, instead of the Schott, Reindl said.

Gretchen Polinski added 12 points for the Spartans.

DIVISION IV

MINSTER 48,

BERLIN HILAND 43

Bridget Slonkosky made the go ahead jumper with 1:20 remaining and then hit the four clinching free throws to lead Minster.

Slonkosky scored all eight of her team s fourth quarter points and finished with 11. Robyn Hoying added 10 points and nine rebounds for the Wildcats (24 2).

Launa Hochstetler, a first team All Ohio selection, led the Hawks (25 2) with 15 points. Her twin sister, Leah, scored 12.

DIVISION I

CHAMINADE JULIENNE 56, BARBERTON 38

Aisha Jefferson scored 20 points and No. 1 Dayton Chaminade Julienne advanced to another state championship game by beating No. 6 Barberton.

The Eagles (26 0) are trying to become the first girls team to win consecutive state titles with the second championship coming in a higher division. They won the Division II crown last season.

Considering the way the 6 foot Jefferson played, the Eagles will be hard to stop tonight.

The second team All Ohio selection easily overworked smaller defenders for layup after layup, shooting 9 for 13 overall. She scored 12 points in the first half, when the Eagles built a 27 19 lead.

The Magics (25 2) pulled to 31 25 early in the third quarter, but the Eagles answered with 10 straight points. Lindsey Goldsberry started the run with Nike Roshe Run two 3 pointers, and Maria Getty and Jefferson added baskets inside.

The Eagles emptied the bench in the fourth quarter, getting a chance to rest their starters for the title game. Chaminade Julienne won the 1999 Division II title.