The defending state champion and top-seeded Dragons led No. 2 Tucker County, 47-36, with just under 5 minutes left to play, but had to hang on for a 53-46 repeat triumph inside the Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center.

“This one feels just as good … just as good,” Cameron head coach Holly Pettit said when asked about the two consecutive state titles. “I couldn’t be more proud of the girls and of the support we’ve gotten from the community.

“I’d like to win a boring state title, but these girls like to make it exciting,” Pettit said. “Those types of games are fun to watch; not so great to coach. But people like to see close ball games and I like to watch them, too.”

It appeared Cameron (22-6) was going to have its way as it opened up a double-digit margin in the second quarter, and doubled up the Mountain Lions (21-3) at the half, 28-14, as junior Ashlynn Van Tassell tallied nine of her two dozen points in the second quarter.

Marcus Constantino / Courtesy Mister Bee Potato Chips The Cameron Dragons celebrate with the state championship trophy after the West Virginia girls single-A championship game at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center, Saturday, March 11, 2023, in Charleston.

The advantage grew to as much as 19, 42-23, when Kenzie Clutter tickled the twine thrice after being fouled while attempting a three-pointer. The Dragons would take a 44-30 lead into the final chapter.

A quick 6-2 run by Tucker County cut the deficit to 10 and, after Van Tassell made 1-of-2 free throws, the Mountain Lions took advantage of some sloppy ball handling by the Dragons to pull to within three, 47-44, when Kadie Colebank scored with 2:15 on the fourth-quarter clock.

“I called a timeout and told the girls we need to relax and take care of the basketball,” Pettit recalled. ”

Tucker County’s Ericka Zirk collected an offensive rebound and scored to make it 48-46 with 55 ticks remaining and the Mountain Lions called timeout.

The Dragons missed the front end of a bonus situation with 47.6 left, but the Mountain Lions turned the ball over and Cameron’s Emilee Dobbs was fouled. The 5-5 junior calmly sank both attempts, giving the Dragons a 50-46 lead. Senior Gracie Carter made a free throw with 24 seconds remaining and Maci Neely, last year’s hero, sank two charity tosses in the closing seconds to seal the deal.

Marcus Constantino / Courtesy Mister Bee Potato Chips Cameron’s Ashlynn Van Tassell (44) goes up for a shot during the West Virginia girls single-A championship game at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center, Saturday, March 11, 2023, in Charleston.

The 6-3 Van Tassell added 15 rebounds and finished the three-game tournament with 57 to go along with 84 points.

“She played a good game today. Yesterday (Friday) she wasn’t happy with the way she played, so she came out today to prove how good she is.”

“My rebounding helps us get more shots on the offensive end. On the defensive end it allows us to get the fastbreak going,” Van Tassell said.

Clutter, the Dragons junior point guard, added seven points and handed out seven assists against only one turnover.

“I can’t say enough about Kenzie. She took over the first half with her passes,” Pettit praised.

Marcus Constantino / Courtesy Mister Bee Potato Chips Cameron’s Maci Neely (21) goes up for a shot as Tucker County’s Macy Helmick (22) defends during the West Virginia girls single-A championship game at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center, Saturday, March 11, 2023, in Charleston.

Neely had 14 points and a trio of steals in support of Van Tassell.

“My assists mean the world to me. When my teammates finish it like they usually do, I look for them cutting to the basket and just getting open,” she said. “I know I have to keep my composure up top and stay confident in my passes.”

Cameron made only 1-of-19 threes, but 18-of-28 two-point field goals.

“We’re a very well-rounded basketball team. Anybody on the floor can shoot the ball, but today wasn’t our day,” Pettit said. “We found other ways to get the ball in the basket and did what we needed to do to win.”

Kadie Colebank led Tucker County with 13 points and seven rebounds. Zirk finished with 11 points and half-a-dozen boards, while Macy Helmick added 10 points and four assists.

Marcus Constantino / Courtesy Mister Bee Potato Chips The Cameron Dragons are photographed with the state championship trophy after the West Virginia girls single-A championship game at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center, Saturday, March 11, 2023, in Charleston.

Of the 40 minutes, Cameron led all but 1:21 and never trailed.

Van Tassell also thanked the community for its support.

“It’s huge. Our community is so behind us. It’s amazing,” she said. “This one feels awesome because we went back-to-back.”

Marcus Constantino / Courtesy Mister Bee Potato Chips Tucker County’s Macy Helmick (22) goes up for a shot as Cameron’s Ashlynn Van Tassell (44) defends during the West Virginia girls single-A championship game at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center, Saturday, March 11, 2023, in Charleston.