HANCEVILLE — Cold Springs’ varsity girls took the first step toward repeating as Class 2A state champions on Friday night, taking down Tanner 54-42 to advance to the championship game of the Northwest Regional Tournament at Wallace State.

Brooke Crider led the No. 2 Lady Eagles (29-4) with a game-high 13 points, while Toni West (10), Elizabeth Hill (nine) and Kylon Hamby (nine) were next in line.

The Blue and Gold overcame a slow start — Hill being called for two early fouls didn’t help matters — to seize a 15-9 advantage after the first quarter.

Coach Tammy West’s team, though, put together a big second stanza — Crider scored 10 points in the frame alone — to build a 33-21 halftime cushion.

Cold Springs attacked the lane ferociously during those eight minutes, making a couple of layups and getting to the free-throw stripe (10 of 12 in the first half) several times.

Despite Hill quickly recording her third and fourth fouls, the Lady Eagles maintained a nine-point lead heading into the final frame thanks to a handful of contributions from other players, including Hamby, Neely Ellison and Emi Harbison.

The Lady Rattlers eventually cut their deficit down to seven, but Cold Springs was too tough late.

The Lady Eagles handled the ball well, played strong defense and closed the matchup on a 10-5 run to finally put away a tough Tanner team.

Ellison (seven), Lacey Rice (four) and Harbison (two) rounded out the offensive production for the Blue and Gold, who had just five turnovers the whole game.

“It goes back to this team’s ability to take care of the basketball,” West said. “They knew we needed to kill some clock. They were able to do that. We can take this all the way back to the West Point game. We’ve learned so much about ourselves, and hopefully that helps us down the road. We have some great ball-handlers on this team, and I’m so proud of them.”

Cold Springs will face off with No. 9 Hatton (28-5) on Tuesday at 4 p.m.

The Lady Hornets advanced to the title game with a 44-36 win against Altamont.

West is hopeful her Lady Eagles — competing in their fourth straight regional final — can get the job done and punch their ticket to next week’s state tournament.

“We’re excited,” West said. “Hatton is a good, well-coached team. I’ve watched them play this year. We’re excited about it. Hopefully, we will get some work in and come out and compete on Tuesday.”