Mount Rainier fought its heart out in a thrilling 77-72 double overtime loss to East Valley (Spokane) in a loser-out scuffle of the 2010 state girls basketball tournament at the Tacoma Dome.

"That was quite a game," said Ram head coach Bob Bolam. "All we asked of them was to play 32 minutes, and they had to play an extra eight. We knew they'd be physical and we prepared to play physical. I can't remember a last second shot like Marisa's."

With the shot clock winding down in the fourth quarter, Blair swished a running one-handed looping shot through the hoop with 0.4 seconds left to forge a 58-58 tie and force the first overtime.

"I knew I needed the shot to go in," recalled Blair, who completed her Ram career with a personal best 31 points and added five steals. "I just shot and rolled my ankle as I fell to the floor. I didn't even see the shot go in. I didn't know I made it until I got up."

Gandy, Blair and Codd combined to give Mount Rainier a 63-58 lead to open the first overtime, but East Valley eased the deficit and eventually sent it into the second overtime on a Jenni White steal and layin with 42.8 seconds left.

Tied at 66, the Knights jumped to a 70-66 lead in the second overtime. Refusing to fold, the Rams rallied behind Blair.

With 28.2 seconds left, Blair downed a three-ball to make the score 75-72. Kimmie Thatcher finally settled the issue with two free throws as 0.9 seconds showed on the clock.

Throughout the game, the Rams used relentless defense and a truly physical presence to stay close and eventually emerged with a 32-31 halftime lead.

Junior Caroline Codd joined Blair to keep Mount Rainier in contention. Maylynn Mitchell gave the Rams another outside threat with a three-pointer in the third quarter for a42-39 MR lead midway through although East Valley charged back for a 46-42 margin and led 48-45 after three.

Codd, Gandy and Blair worked the Rams into a 56-52 lead with 3:39 in regulation only to see the Knights ride into a 58-56 lead ahead of Blair's last-ditch shot in regulation. Blair had passed up a chance at shooting a three to pass into the corner where a Ram shot was blocked, setting up an inbounds for Mount Rainier with 3.3 seconds left. The inbounds play resulted in Blair's big time shot.

Sophomore Gandy scored 11 points and Mitchell added nine on a trio of three-pointers.

East Valley's Kimmie thatcher had a double-double on 22 point and 11 rebounds. White wound up with 22 points, eight rebounds, six steals and four assists while Amber Swyers pulled down 15 rebounds with 12 points, four assists, two steals and two blocks.

East Valley overcame 30 turnovers with a 65-39 advantage on the boards and a 30 of 43 free throw shooting performance. Mount Rainier converted 22 of 37 from the stripe and dropped off to 25.7 percent field goal shooting in the second half.

In the quietness of the hallway adjacent to the team locker room after the final trip out, the past, present and future of Mount Rainier girls basketball embodied by senior Marisa Blair and junior Caroline Codd came together in a sad, but also celebratory hug after the monumental effort that just fell short.

Blair leaves behind a four-year career that saw her mature from a freshman to the leader in numerous Ram statistical categories as well as ranking high in Seamount League records. Blair also received All-Seamount League first team honors this season.

"Making it to state for the first time is definitely the highlight," she said. "I've really enjoyed the team bonding together. I remember how scared I was as a freshman and growing as a team from game to game.This has been our best year. After making this my life, it's hard to walk away from the experiences."

As the Rams (18-8) depart Class 3A and move up to Class 4A next season, Codd first mentioned this season.

"Marisa's shot (that brought overtime) was the highlight of our whole season," declared Codd, who rose to the occasion on Thursday with 17 points, 14 rebounds and five steals before fouling out in the second OT. "She threw her body into that shot and gave it her all. This was one of our best games of the season. I'll keep working hard for next year. We have players coming back like Kiana Gandy and Maylynn (Mitchell) coming back."

This year was one of satisfaction and the future looks interesting, as well for the Rams.

"Obviously, getting here to state was a highlight," concluded Bolam. "It was nice to get back (after 2003). They're nice girls and great kids which makes it fun to coach. They love being together. It gets harder next year, but we've good kids coming back. We'll have to get used to the level of play in 4A."

This season's Mount Rainier player roster includes Maris Blair (Sr.), Amber Guillot (Fresh.), Sydney Codd (Sr.), Zerina Kapetonivic (Jr.), Maylynn Mitchell (Soph.), Danika Santos (Fresh.), Ajah Piper (Fresh.), Caroline Codd (Jr.), Maletina Timoteo (Sr.), Kiana Gandy (Soph.), Lyndsay Headley (Sr.) and Amanda Goucher (Fresh.)

Head coach Bolam is assisted by coaches Rod Wallis and Lance Hepworth.