In a game filled with big shots, Cedar Rapids Xavier's Kayla Armstrong made the one that counted the most.

Armstrong drove into the lane and scored in front of the basket with nine seconds left, lifting Xavier to the Class 4A championship with a 53-52 victory over Harlan.

Harlan had taken a 52-51 lead only seconds earlier when sophomore Taylor Wagner drove down the right of the lane and banked in a shot. Xavier excelled at getting the ball up the floor quickly and the Saints did just that to set up Armstrong's winning shot.

Harlan called time to set up a final play, but lost the ball before anyone could get a shot.

It was the fourth state championship for Xavier, all under coach Tom Lilly. The Saints, who finished 17-9, also won in 2003, 2005 and 2007.

Harlan finished as the state runner-up for the second time in closing out a 23-3 season. But the Cyclones likely are to be heard from again because they had two freshmen, two sophomores and a senior on the court for most of the second half.

Armstrong got most of her points on drives to the basket and made 10 of 12 shots. She also had six steals. Ashley Stulken added 13 points, grabbed nine rebounds and blocked six shots for the Saints, while Hayley Deutmeyer scored six points.

Wagner led Harlan with 16 points. Sophomore Jess Schaben had 13 points, 19 rebounds and four blocks, while freshman Taylor Frederick added 10 points and nine rebounds.

Xavier jumped to a quick 7-0 lead and led 18-10 early in the second half, mostly because it was able to get the ball inside to the 6-foot-2 Stulken.

Harlan clawed back to lead 28-27 at halftime, and the lead changed hands seven times in the tight, intense game before the final baskets by Wagner and Armstrong.

Armstrong was named captain of the all-tournament team. Wagner, Schaben and Stulken also were voted all-tournament, along with Aftin Phyfe of Waverly-Shell Rock and Megan McCarthy of Bishop Heelan.