Heritage Christian high school girls basketball coach Rick Risinger has talked repeatedly about his team's need to establish its identity after the graduation of a senior class that won four consecutive Class 2A state titles.

The Eagles re-introduced themselves Thursday night with 65-41 victory over Arlington in the City Tournament semifinals at Cathedral . . . but they looked awfully familiar.

"I know people are saying (Heritage Christian) is not as good (as last season), but talk to me at the end of the season when the tournament's over," said Bishop Chatard coach Bill Silvey, who will play the Eagles in the City championship game at 7:30 tonight after a 56-54 victory over Cathedral in the other semifinal. "They'll be heard from on who wins the (state) tournament."

Arlington (12-6) trailed just 22-19 with 2:01 remaining in the first half Thursday, but the Eagles went on a 14-2 run that went two minutes into the third quarter and produced a 36-21 lead on Maddie Anderson's layup.

"It makes no difference who's scoring. They all contribute," Risinger said after four players scored in double figures. "Defensively, they're helping each other out. The ball movement we have is outstanding and I've got players coming off the bench that blend right in and we don't lose anything. The teamwork may be as good as we've had."

In the second game, Cathedral led 52-48 with 58.1 seconds left, but Bishop Chatard's Katie Shaughnessy made two shots from the free throw line then stole the ball and hit a layup to tie the score, 52-52, with 40 seconds to play. Cathy Doyle and Shaughnessy each hit a pair of free throws before Cathedral's Olivia Sedwick closed the scoring in the final seconds. It was the Irish's third consecutive loss to their archrivals by two points or fewer.

"I wasn't really (concerned down four points with less than a minute to play) because the first time we played (Cathedral), we were down by two or three points with less than 30 seconds to play and Cathy Doyle made two layups, so I knew we had it in us," said Shaughnessy, who scored 10 of her team's final 16 points. "At first we're a little edgy but we're always good in the last minute."

Heritage Christian 65, Arlington 41

Arlington	10	11	12	8	--41
Heritage Christian	13	18	18	16	--65

Arlington: Pimpton 6, Harris 10, Minor 0, Lawyer 0, Davie 2, Hudson 6, Robinson 5, Haney 0, Golightly 12, Yateman 0. 3-pointers: Pimpton 2, Robinson 1. Totals: 14 10-16 41.

Heritage Christian: Jones 5, Richards 4, Budreau 0, Dixon 0, Bryant 11, Anderson 11, Stratman 15, Webb 19. 3-pointers: Jones 1, Bryant 1, Anderson 1, Stratan 1, Webb 3. Totals: 24 10-14 65.

Bishop Chatard 56, Cathedral 54

Cathedral	4	21	13	16	--54
Bishop Chatard	12	13	12	19	--56