By Don Ketchum

Like an avalanche, it started with a low rumble and got louder, louder and louder.

Momentum was going full speed and then some, with Mesa Mountain View’s girls riding the crest of the wave.

Could Chandler Hamilton stop it?

Mountain View trailed by 20 points at halftime of the Division I semifinal on Thursday (Feb. 23) at Jobing.com Arena in Glendale and by 16 early in the fourth quarter.

The top-seeded Lady Toros scored 16 straight points to tie it at 48 with 1:57 but somehow, No. 12 Hamilton managed to survive with a 52-50 victory as Aliyah Dickson and Lauren Evans each hit a pair of free throws in the final 48.7 seconds.

Hamilton (26-7) will face No. 3 seed Phoenix St. Mary’s for the Division I title at 2 p.m. on Saturday (Feb. 25) at Jobing.com. Mountain View finished 29-3.

It will be a special time for Dickson, a junior. She played her first two years at St. Mary’s before transferring on a hardship rule.

“They’re still my sisters,’’ Dickson said of the Lady Knights.

That won’t, however, prevent her from playing with every ounce of energy. She’s not going to take it easy. St. Mary’s defeated Hamilton earlier this season, and Dickson scored 22 points then.

Dickson had ice packs strapped to her to soothe a few nagging injuries. One of her legs cramped up at the end of the game against the Toros.

“I want to beat St. Mary’s, but we all want to be champions,’’ Dickson said. “I wanted the rematch. If we all come together like we did today, we can win.’’

Hamilton coach Jeff Kain knew Mountain View wasn’t about to wither away after trailing at halftime. Cassidee Ranger was the biggest reason why the Huskies were able to build the big lead, hitting five 3-pointers in the first half.

“I know coach (Henry) Bribiescas’ teams are always going to fight. We told our girls, “Don’t become complacent,’ ’’ Kain said.

Easier said than done.

The Hamilton lead was 48-32 with about six minutes left. Arnecia Hawkins began the run with a 3-pointer. Jordan Jensen scored nine points and tied the game at 48 with a basket at the 1:57 mark.

Hawkins fouled out trying to keep Dickson away from the basket, and Dickson sank two free throws with 48.7 seconds left. Evans stepped to the line for two with 6.7 seconds left and iced it.

“It was nerve-racking. I told them just to hang in there and be positive,’’ Kain said.

So what’s the trick to beating St. Mary’s?

“We played them fairly well the last time. We’re just going to go out and play our game. The first step is to be able to handle their pressure,’’ he said.

Dickson and Ranger each scored 15 points to lead Hamilton. Jensen scored 15 and Hawkins 10 for the Toros.