Anchorage Christian's Dallas Dickerson, who scored the 2,000th point of her high school basketball career Friday night, will pursue an even bigger goal Saturday.
Dickerson and the Lions will play for the Class 3A girls championship against Mt. Edgecumbe, and a victory would be the highlight of Dickerson's highlight-reel career.
ACS beat Galena 65-53 behind Dickerson's 23 points, and Mt. Edgecumbe stopped defending champion Barrow 42-29 behind Taryn White's 14 points and 14 rebounds in Friday's semifinal games at Sullivan Arena.
Dickerson scored her 1,999th and 2,000th career points on a basket with just more than three minutes remaining in the game against Galena. The bucket gave ACS a 63-44 lead and sent Dickerson and most of the other ACS starters to the bench for the rest of the game.
The milestone is nice, but what Dickerson really wants is a state championship.
She was named to the 3A girls all-tournament team as a freshman, sophomore and junior and, with 51 points in two games, is on track to make the team a fourth time.
But ACS hasn't won a state title during her run. Before Dickerson started high school, the Lions made it to the title game four straight years, winning it in 2008 and 2009. The Lions didn't make it to the championship game until last year, when they lost to Barrow.
By beating Galena, ACS and Dickerson booked a return trip to the title game, where Dickerson would trade a high-scoring performance for a championship trophy.
"If anything, I don't care about the personal goals," she said after ACS's first-round win Thursday.
Dickerson's 23 points against Galena came on 10 of 17 shooting from the field. She also handed out a game-high assists and tallied five of ACS's 18 steals.
Michelle Coderre added 14 points on 7 of 15 shooting and Bryn Tennyson hit 5 of 6 shots for 10 points.
Shaina Burley's 19 points, six rebounds and four steals led Galena, which trailed 36-18 at the half. Sarah Buchanan added 14 points.
Mt. Edgecumbe outscored Barrow 15-4 in the second quarter to take control of the other semifinal game.
White's double-double included six offensive rebounds. She helped the Braves claim a 45-33 rebounding advantage.
Payton Weisz also racked up a double-double for Mt. Edgecumbe with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
Barrow got a boost from Rose Hopson (11 rebounds), Alaina Wolgemuth (8 points) and Angela Miguel (5 steals, 6 points).
Consolation
Valdez 54, Nikiski 45
Veronica Hursh's 21 points paced Valdez as the Buccaneers defeated Nikiski 54-45.
Alyssa Darch (15 points), Emily Lynch (10) and Jodi Cook (10) all reach double figures for Nikiski. Darch also hauled in a game-high 17 rebounds.
Seward 37, Bethel 33
Seward came from behind to down Bethel 37-33. Ashley VonBorstol scored a game-high 18 points to lead the Seahawks, who outscored Bethel 12-6 in the final quarter.
Riana Joseph was Bethel's leading scorer with 12 points.
Reach Beth Bragg at bbragg@adn.com or 257-4335. Reporter Mike Nesper contributed to this report.
By BETH BRAGG