The R.C. Hatch girls (23-6) nearly pulled off a gigantic comeback in Friday’s class 2A state championship game.

After trailing by 31-10 at the half, the Lady Bobcats went on a 21-0 run to close within four in the final minutes. With the game on the line, Samson point guard Janesha Green answered with three made free throws and Isis McGhee made a short jumper to help Samson (32-2) hang on for a 58-53 win.

Green, the class 2A state tournament MVP, finished with eight points, nine rebounds, five assists and three steals for Samson. LaTascya Duff had 14 points and eight rebounds, LaTora Duff had 13 points and Summer Stacy added 12 points for the Tigers. The Duff sisters joined Green on the all-tournament team.

Ka’Lasha Patterson led R.C. Hatch with 21 points and 14 rebounds.

She had 15 points in the second half. Miranda Jones chipped in 12 points.

Samson, which won the state title in 2006 and 2007, forced 29 turnovers, but only nine of those came in the second half. Samson outscored R.C. Hatch 24-6 in the second quarter to built a 21-point halftime advantage.

Ka’Lasha Patterson scored 21 points on 9-for-12 shooting to lead R.C. Hatch.

Miranda Jones was also in double figures for R.C. Hatch with 12 points. The Bobcats’ Johnleria Paige had 14 rebounds and four points.