After spending an entire year desperately trying to attain a goal that was once so close, it's natural -- and necessary -- to scheme up new ways to get it.

Prosser's girls made it simple.

Just squeeze the life out of anyone who gets in the way.

A day after yielding just 35 points in the semifinals, the Mustangs tightened their defensive vise even more in Saturday's Class 2A championship game with a 50-33 humbling of Burlington-Edison in the SunDome.

With the game still in doubt midway through the third quarter, Prosser held the Tigers without a field goal for nearly 11 minutes, a lockdown effort that wasn't broken until B-E dropped in a 3-pointer with 56 seconds left in the game.

It was the sweetest ending imaginable for a team that left the SunDome a year ago with second place following a 57-46 loss to River Ridge.

"Ever since we lost last year we've wanted to come back and win the state championship. We were so, so close last year," said senior Tamara Jones, who wore a cut-down net around her neck and held the oversized state trophy while posing for pictures as the tournament MVP. "We knew this was it, right here. We had to do it."

Coach Mark Little, who had no success holding back tears, just let the emotions and relief flow in a celebration that was a year in the making.

"These kids were so determined from day one to win this championship," he said. "God bless them, I'm so lucky to coach this team."

The Mustangs, who finished 26-1, were so effective on defense that all they needed was one offensive spark, and Tayshia Hunt provided that from the opening tip.

Hunt, who joined Jones on the all-tournament first team, scored Prosser's first eight points and 14 of her game-high 18 points in the first half. She made 5 of 8 field goals and 8 of 8 free throws.

"It was scary at the beginning because some of our shots weren't falling and we struggled a little," she said. "But this time we pulled it off and our defense was definitely the difference."

Burlington-Edison, which dispatched defending champion River Ridge on Friday, was held to 24.4 percent shooting and just four field goals in the second half.

"That's what is so gratifying about this -- we really worked hard on defense this whole season," Little said. "The kids bought into it and just put out a fantastic effort all season and all through state."

Jones couldn't find her shot early but didn't pout about it. She grabbed rebounds, set up others with assists and blocked shots.

"I wasn't making anything, so I had to give it off to somebody else that could do better," said Jones, whose four points left her 2A tournament career record at 282 and her overall career total at 1,928. "Tayshia got us started. She was huge tonight."

Jones and Hunt have contributed to four straight state trophies, and Prosser's two other senior starters came up big Saturday night. Brooke Adams scored eight points in the second half and Taylor Flores provided interior defense against the taller Tigers.

"I didn't guard anyone under 6 feet all week, but we're used to that," said the 5-8 Flores. "We're kind of a small team but we work our butts off. We know we have to get the defense right first, then the offense will come."

With Prosser up 23-16 at the break, junior Helen Petersen hit the Mustangs' lone 3-pointer to start the second half for a double-digit lead. That basket came off a designed play set up by passes from Jones and Hunt.

Petersen finished with eight points, and sophomore Sydney Mercer brought down eight rebounds to lead a 38-30 advantage on the boards.

Burlington-Edison's Cambie Edwards certainly did her part with 13 points and 13 rebounds, but the Tigers' two other double-digit scorers -- Kristine Thoe and Molly Breckenridge -- combined for six points on 1-for-11 shooting.

"That was our main thing -- defense," said Jones, noting Prosser's four-game defensive average of under 40 points. "That's what got us here. From the very first day of the season we couldn't wait for this moment."

That's a long time to carry such weight.

"We just worked up slowly, tried to get better each day and didn't underestimate anyone," Flores said. "We took small steps."

To get one big prize.