By Jeff Motz

Lincoln Prep Sports.com

Millard West needed just three free throws to secure a spot in Saturday's Class A State Girls Basketball championship game.  Amber Lutmer, Alison Janecek and Alexis Lowe hit one free toss apiece to give the Wildcats a 63-58 win over Lincoln Southwest Friday night in the Class A semifinal at the Bob Devaney Sports Center.  

Millard West will play in their second state championship game in three years and for the school's first state basketball championship Saturday night at 7pm.

The Wildcats led 60-58 with 39 seconds remaining, when Southwest had possession of the ball and Jenna Cunningham missed a three-pointer.  Lutmer tracked down the ball, drawing a foul and hitting the front end of a one-and-one.  

Tina Fantroy grabbed the missed bonus attempt and went the full-length of the court, missing a layup before Janecek was fouled and hit one of two free-throws for a 62-58 lead with 22 seconds to play.

Southwest missed from close range and Millard West tried to stall, but Lowe was fouled with three seconds left and hit her one and only point of the game to seal the victory.  

Millard West led 57-53 with three minutes left when Tina Fantroy scored on a breakaway layup.  After a made free-throw, Southwest tied the game at 58 off a Faith Fantroy three with 2:41 left in the game.

Southwest trailed 39-31 before going on an 8-2 run behind two three-pointers from Lauren Works and Paige Traynowicz and a basket from Cunningham.  The Wildcats pulled ahead for a 47-43 lead at the end of the quarter.  Lutmer scored eight of her 14 points in the period for Millard West.

Janecek added 13 points in the Wildcat victory.

Faith Fantroy led Southwest with 16 points, while Tina Fantroy and Works each added 14 points apiece.  The Silver Hawks will play for third place Saturday at 2pm over at North Star.