The Irish don't score a lot of points but the team plays pretty ferocious defense. Rosemount's calling card all season lifted the Irish to a 40-33 victory over Centennial in the Class 4A semifinals.
Rosemount will face Chaska for the championship. The Hawks upset Hopkins earlier Wednesday, snapping the Royals' 78-game winning streak.
Nicole O'Neil scored 10 points for the Irish, all in the first half, the only player in the game to reach double figures, to give Rosemount (20-3) a 27-25 at halftime.
In the second half, the Irish cranked up the defensive pressure. They forced Centennial to take poor shots and held the Cougars to just one field goal and eight points.
"There was a point in the game where I joked with the girls that the first team to score 40 wins and look, it worked out," coach Chris Orr said with a laugh. "We know we're not going to be the prettiest team, but we are going to play our hearts out, play great defense and score just enough to finish the job."
For more on this game and a box score, click here.
More on the tournament:
Tuesday's quarterfinal game reports
Which teams will be playing for the titles? Ron Haggstrom calls the tournament
Podcast: Better than Bueckers? Former Hopkins coach on the next girls prep superstar
Meet the 2020-21 Star Tribune all-metro team
Commitment to greatness: Maya Nnaji of Hopkins is metro player of the year
Ten things to know about the girls' state tournament
Scoggins: Correa shows why he's worth Twins' $200 million investment
Twins podcast: Fan reaction and inside the game with La Velle E. Neal III
