As the final buzzer sounded, Minnehaha Academy senior guard Sarah Kaminski jumped up and down on her surgically repaired knees — one of which caused her to miss this season’s first five games.

Kaminski, the Independent Metro Athletic Conference Player of the Year, and the Redhawks led from start to finish in a 49-38 victory over Annandale on Wednesday at Mariucci Arena in the Class 2A state quarterfinals.

“My knee felt good, especially when the buzzer sounded,” said Kaminski, who had nine points, six rebounds and six assists before fouling out late. “I think every part of me felt good.”

Minnehaha, the tournament’s fourth seed, switched from a 1-3-1 to a 2-3 zone defense and utilized a full-course press to hassle fifth-seeded Annandale (23-8) into a season-low 38 points.

“That’s about as good of defense as we’ve played,” said Minnehaha head coach Josh Thurow, who has been to eight state tournaments in his 11 years with the Redhawks. “I think that’s what won this game and what got us here to state, too.”

Freshman Terra Rhoades led Minnehaha (26-4) with 13 points and senior center Lilly Thomey had 10 points and eight rebounds.

Minnehaha is making its second consecutive and ninth overall state tournament appearance. The Redhawks won the state title in 2010.

Minnehaha faces No. 1 seed and top-ranked Sauk Centre in the semifinals Thursday at Williams Arena.

“I definitely feel like we have our best game in our back pocket,” Thomey said. “We haven’t shown it yet.”

Minnehaha Academy led from start to finish in its 49-38 victory over Annandale to advance to the Class 2A state semifinals.

Minnehaha Academy, ranked sixth in the final Class 2A poll and the tournament’s fourth seed, utilized a 2-3 zone defense and a full-course press to hassle fifth-seeded and ninth-ranked Annandale into a season-low 38 points. 

Terra Rhodes led Minnehaha Academy with 13 points.