FLORISSANT • McCluer North senior guard Kortni Collins had plenty of time to think.

Collins dribbled out nearly a minute as North had the final possession in a tie game with rival Hazelwood West in the Class 5 District 3 girls basketball championship.

So, when Stars coach Pat Daugherty called timeout with seven seconds left, Collins knew just what she was going to do.

Collins attacked the basket and hit a running floater Thursday to give McCluer North a 51-49 victory and the district title.

“I spent that whole time thinking about whether I wanted to pass the ball or shoot it myself,” Collins said. “I knew I was going to take it and this feels good. I am so proud of my team. We came together and we played some great defense when we needed to play it.”

The Stars (21-8, No. 8 in the STLhighschoolsports.com large-schools rankings) advanced into the Class 5 sectional round against St. Joseph's (18-8) at 7:45 p.m. Wednesday at Lindenwood University.

McCluer North trailed West (15-10) three times, and three times it used defense to crawl back into the game.

“It was truly unbelievable because in that situation, we had all our seniors on the floor,” Daugherty said of the final comeback in the fourth quarter. “We put it together and took care of business. It's just amazing the way our defense came through all night after we'd give up the lead. The girls just kept after it.”

Down 45-38 with just more than four minutes left, McCluer North went on a 7-0 run to tie the game. Senior guard Anasha Hurst buried a 3-pointer before a free throw by senior forward Eriyanna Simmons knotted the score 45-45.

Hazelwood West forced North to play catchup as senior guard Lakeita Chappel forced the issue much of game.

Chappel scored 26 points, including 12 in the first half as West held the 26-25 lead at the break.

“My girls played hard and they played clean,” Wildcats coach Kelly Russell said. “The kids played their hearts out. They just didn't pull it off today.”

In addition to Chappel's effort, West got 13 from junior guard Mallory Meeks, including a jumper that made the score 49-49 with just less than a minute left.

Collins led McCluer North with 16 points and Hurst added 12 as North beat West by two points for the second time this season.

“This feels good, but now we've got to get ready for the next one,” Collins said. “Same thing for us as always, defense is key.