By Warren Arceneaux

and Rodrick Anderson

sports@americanpress.com

No. 2 Huntington held off No. 3 Neville down the stretch to claim a 45-38 win in the Class 4A semifinals of the girls state basketball tournament Wednesday at Burton Coliseum.

Huntington (26-2) advanced to the final for the first time since 1995. Huntington will meet LaGrange, which beat Warren Easton in the other semifinal.

Huntington was powered by double-doubles from Taylor Bell (11 points, 12 rebounds) and Kalea Dean (12 points, 10 rebounds).

Neville (22-3) led 9-8 after the first quarter but was outscored 33-18 over the second and third quarters.

Mia Hardin led Neville with 10 points and six rebounds.

Division III Semifinals

Lafayette Christian 75

St. Charles 31

The Knights (18-5) dominated from the outset, outscoring the Comets 45-9 in the first half.

Monae Duffy and Eve Alexander each scored 14 points to lead the Knights. Jada Richard added 13 points and six assists.

Kaitlyn Abair led St. Charles (11-5) with 16 points.

St. Thomas Aquinas 43

Episcopal 36

Jade Brumfield scored 25 points to lead the Falcons to a third consecutive championship game appearance.

The Falcons (20-7) will face LCA for the title for a second consecutive season. STA won 51-47 last season.

Isabelle Besselman led Episcopal with 13 points. Jewel Jones added 12.