Three-time Ms. Basketball winner Dee Alexander finished with 27 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists to lead Purcell Marian to its fourth straight state championship.

Get all the news you need in your inbox each morning. "It's great. The adversity we battled through this year, everybody talking about all the pressure that was on us. I'm just happy and proud of the girls keeping the outside noise where it was.

It’s one thing trying to prepare for a team like Cincinnati Purcell Marian, but it’s another stepping on the court to play them.

AVON LAKE, Ohio — The old saying in sports, ‘It’s hard to beat a good team twice,’ holds true for the Avon Lake Shoregals girls basketball team, especially in their recent playoff run. Avon Lake head coach Paul Appel, knowing his team had the talent and scheme to make a deep run, wanted to make sure they were battle tested in the regular season.

Purcell Marian jumped out to a 7-0 lead and never led by less than five points the rest of the way, beating Avon Lake, 72-44, to capture the Ohio High School Athletic Association Division III state championship on Friday at University of Dayton Arena. Purcell Marian finished the season with a 23-6 record. Avon Lake also finished 23-6.

Cincinnati Marian Purcell was 32 minutes away from winning a fourth state championship, and Avon Lake was the only team that stood in its way March 14.

Purcell Marian defeated Avon Lake to win the Division III state championship. It is Purcell Marian's fourth consecutive state championship.