The girls basketball team started its district semifinal down nine points at halftime and found themselves in a deeper hole during the third quarter — down 17 points.

But, ultimately, Kearsley came back to beat Saginaw Arthur Hill 63-60.

The game, an MHSAA district semifinal hosted by Kearsley, pitted the Lumberjacks (5-13) against the Hornets on Wednesday, Feb 28.

A few players made big moves, starting with sophomore Jakeira Wash.

Wash led the Hornets with 13 points.

In addition, sophomore Sydney Walker and junior Zaria Mitchner scored 11 points apiece.

Finally, sophomore Kamryn Palka and junior Mackenzie Ramey each chipped in nine points.

Ramey said the team wouldn’t back down.

“(This game was) crazy. I was so proud of my team,” Ramey said. “We were down by 17 points, but we refused to give up or take no for an answer.”

In the last seconds, Palka made a basket to secure the game for Kearsley.

“I was happy to make my basket because I didn’t let my team down,” Palka said. “The game was definitely better in the fourth quarter than the first half.”

Kearsley is now 17-5 overall and heads to the district title game Friday, March 2.

The Hornets will face Davison, which is 10-12 overall, after the Cardinals knocked off Saginaw 71-49 in the other semifinal game.

Kearsley hasn’t won a district championship since 1993, which was 25 years ago.

The Hornets and Cardinals will tip off at 7 p.m.