The Barrington High School girls basketball team is going to the AMP.

The Eagles defeated LaSalle 50-48 in the Division I tournament semifinals at RIC on Sunday night, March 3, and will play for the championship at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence on Wednesday night, March 6. The final tips off at 6 p.m.

Barrington faced a tough test in the semifinals. Seventh-seeded LaSalle, which upset second-seeded Bay View in the tournament opener, pushed Barrington to the limit. 

With less than a minute to play and the score tied at 48-48, LaSalle threatened to knock off Barrington. The Rams brought the ball down the court and put up a shot, but missed. Barrington’s Isys Dunphy ripped down the rebound and found guard Janaya Prince Baquero, who pushed the ball up the court and drove to the basket. Prince Baquero drew a foul and knocked down both free throws, giving the Eagles a 50-48 lead.

LaSalle had one last chance, but missed a three-point attempt, and a follow-up effort off the rebound was blocked by Dunphy. 

BHS Coach Stephen Lenz praised his team’s effort. He said LaSalle would not allow the Eagles to get off many three-point attempts, so Barrington players took the ball to the basket.

“There was no lack of effort with us trying to go to the basket,” Lenz said. “It was a very physical game on both ends.”

Those drives to the basket resulted in some foul calls. Barrington went 20 for 27 from the free throw line, including the two from Prince Baquero with less than a minute to play. 

Barrington built a nine-point lead in the first half, but the Rams narrowed the margin and then scored six straight points to tie the game as halftime neared. 

“We played a really, really strong first half,” Lenz said. “We got a little tired at the end of the half.”

Prince Baquero stepped up as the first half came to a close — the speedy guard drove to the basket and knocked down a tough shot. The basket gave Barrington a 27-25 lead at the break. 

The Eagles continued to take the ball inside in the second half, but LaSalle answered with some big three-pointers. The Rams finished with six made three-pointers, while Barrington did not hit a three and attempted only one. 

“It’s the first time all season we did not hit one three,” Lenz said. 

Prince Baquero led Barrington with 17 points, while Dunphy finished with 13 points and 12 rebounds. Maddie Gill played well and scored 10 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Riley Graveline scored six points, and Lauren Kilpatrick and Liv Morrissette each finished with two points. 

The Eagles will face top-seeded North Kingstown in the Division I tournament finals. Barrington defeated the Skippers in a double-overtime game in the regular season. North Kingstown defeated Ponaganset 55-45 in the other semifinal.

Lenz said fans should expect a fast-paced game in the finals.

“These big courts, they’re made for us to get out and run,” Lenz said. 

“Being able to play at the AMP is awesome. It hasn’t been there since 2000.”