For the first few minutes of Saturday’s contest, a second-round upset in the Class 3A girls basketball state playoffs appeared to be a possibility for Cascade Christian.

The 12th-seeded Challengers had opened an 8-2 advantage on No. 5 Banks and seemed to be settling in nicely for the road test.

Thereafter, though, the Braves turned up their pressure defense and seized control to gradually pull away for a 35-27 victory and spot in the upcoming state tournament.

Jordynn Jones led the charge for the Challengers (17-9), scoring 12 points to go with three rebounds, while fellow junior Isabel McCauley chimed in with seven points — all in the fourth quarter — to go with six rebounds, two steals, two assists and two blocks.

Banks was able to close the first quarter strong to carry a 10-8 lead, then limited Cascade Christian to a combined six points over the second and third quarters to build a comfortable lead.

Grace McCauley pulled in seven rebounds and had two steals for the Challengers.

Freshman Nylah Vanthom scored 13 points for the Braves (19-6).

CASCADE CHRISTIAN (27): Akins 0, Sousa 0, Folin 0, Coats 2, Jones 12, Roberson 0, Arce 4, G. McCauley 2, I. McCauley 7. Totals: 9 8-10 27.

BANKS (35): Crowell 2, Ja. Janecek 0, Graham 4, Maller 6, Jo. Janecek 8, Evey 0, Brown 0, Vanthom 13, King 2. Totals: 14 7-9 35.

Cascade Christian 8 2 4 13 — 27

Banks 10 6 7 12 — 35

3-point goals — Cascade Christian 1 (I. McCauley 1). Fouled out — Coats.

BAKER 53, PHOENIX 44: At Baker, Phoenix used up a lot of energy digging out of an early hole and then wound up having little left to counter Baker during a pivotal fourth quarter in the play-in round for the Class 4A state playoffs.

Anabell Delgado garnered 13 points and four steals and Alissa Alvarez collected 12 points, 10 rebounds, five steals and three assists to lead Phoenix (13-11).

Baker (12-14) built a 16-5 lead through one quarter but that was erased almost entirely with a stellar effort in the second quarter by the Pirates. Nursing a two-point edge heading into the final frame, the Bulldogs closed with an 18-11 effort to decide the contest.

Lillianna Quintero provided nine points and four of Phoenix’s 17 steals overall, and Mae Woodward had eight points and six rebounds. The Pirates were slowed by 29 turnovers.

Ashlyn Dalton and Kyndal Chandler each had 12 points for Baker.

PHOENIX (44): Quintero 9, Carrithers 0, Woodward 8, Delgado 13, Alvarez 12, Jacobs-Grigsby 2. Totals: 14 10-15 44.

BAKER (53): Gentry 10, Spike 0, Dalton 12, Whitford 1, Chandler 12, Myer 3, Rasmussen 8, Robb 2, Gulick 3, Schwartz 2. Totals: 22 7-14 53.

Phoenix 5 20 8 11 — 44

Baker 16 10 9 18 — 53

3-point goals — Phoenix 6 (Quintero 1, Woodward 2, Delgado 2, Alvarez 1), Baker 3 (Dalton 2, Myer 1). Fouled out — Alvarez, Chandler.