Waverly-Shell Rock survived the pressure and will play for a state championship.

Harassed by Sioux City Bishop Heelan’s aggressive, trapping defense, the second-seeded Go-Hawks held on after building an 11-point lead and turned back the Crusaders 41-37 to finish the Class 4A semifinal round.

Now it will be two unbeatens facing off for the title at 2:30 p.m. Saturday. Waverly-Shell Rock will play top-seeded Clear Creek-Amana, which also advanced after a close call, 50-48 over North Polk. Both are in a championship game for the first time. Both are 25-0.

Katelyn Eggena led Waverly-Shell Rock 16 points, plus four rebounds and four assists. Emma Thompson added nine points and six rebounds, Lizzy Frazell had eight points, three blocks and two steals and Sydney Bienemann pulled down 15 rebounds to go with seven points and three steals.

Melina Snoozy, an outstanding freshman, led Bishop Heelan with 15 points and Brooklyn Stanley scored 10. Stanley also had six rebounds, two assists and three steals. The Crusaders came up with 15 steals in all while forcing the Go-Hawks into 23 turnovers, but just couldn’t make enough shots to capitalize.

Waverly-Shell Rock led 31-20 when Frazell hit a 3-pointer at the top of the key with 3:20 left in the third quarter. The Go-Hawks would get only one more basket the rest of the way, a spinning turnaround by Eggena at the 5:20 mark in the fourth quarter, but made enough defensive stops and sank enough free throws to stave off the Crusaders.

Snoozy fashioned a personal 8-0 run with a jump shot and two 3-pointers to cut the lead to 31-28 and the Crusaders tied it twice in the fourth quarter, the second time on Maddie LaFleur’s layup with 1:17 to play. Thompson then sank two free throws break the tie, points that would put the Go-Hawks ahead to stay.

Bishop Heelan missed a 3-point shot on its next possession and Brenna Bodensteiner made one of two free throws for 38-35 lead with 28.1 seconds to go. The Crusaders then missed two more shots, Thompson rebounded and was fouled immediately. Her two free throws made it 40-35 with 7.4 seconds left and that was enough for the Go-Hawks to move on.

Bishop Heelan was in the tournament for the 15th time and was trying for its sixth appearance in a championship game. The Crusaders finish with a 23-2 record and hope for next season with a starting lineup that had Snoozy and two juniors.