New Prague coach Ron Gunderson said senior Jess Allar is the best point guard the Trojans have had in quite a while. 

In the Class 3A, Section 4 championship Thursday at St. Paul Washington High School, Allar backed up her coach's statements with an all-around superb effort, scoring 18 points to lead top-seeded New Prague to a 58-38 win over No. 2 seed Hill-Murray and send the Trojans on to the state tournament.

The Pioneers’ Sami Schneider also had 18 points, but it was Allar's defense, ball distribution and overall quarterback play on offense that separated the two performances.

“She is the consummate point guard,” Gunderson said. “Not only can she score, but she will find players where they are strong at.”

Sophomore Taylor Hustad was proof of that. Allar repeatedly hit Hustad with passes down low or on the baseline, helping the forward finish with 16 points.

“(Down low) is where Taylor is the best at,” Gunderson said. “And Jess will find her.”

On defense, Allar and the Trojans applied relentless pressure on the ball.

The Pioneers had difficulty getting their offense set up and saw New Prague pick off numerous cross-court passes that the Trojans turned into easy layups.

Constant double teams also frazzled Hill-Murray, leading to turnovers that were quickly turned into points.

And more often than not, it was Allar leading the way.

“We like to dictate where (our opponent's) offense goes, not let them decide what to do,” Allar said. “It’s not something that we see or try to set up, we just see and read what they are doing and make it happen.”

After made baskets, New Prague transitioned quickly back to defense and made it difficult for the Pioneers to even inbound the ball - a strategy the Trojans used early in the first half to jump out to a 10-5 lead that sparked a timeout from Hill-Murray.

The Pioneers regrouped and eventually took a 19-18 lead, but the advantage did not last long as New Prague adjusted and went on a 14-5 run to end the half.

“We just talked a bit and got back on track,” Allar said. “Got back to playing tough defense and scored some big points to end the half."

Hill-Murray only scored 14 points in the second as the Trojans' defense improved as the game went on.

New Prague's play is predicated on an all-in mentality, and it's led the Trojans back to the state tournament. Their last appeared was in 2013.

“That is all them,” Gunderson said. “They are all in or nobody is in. We have played like that all season, so I am used to seeing this.”

“It’s amazing,” Allar said. “We have a great team where everyone contributes and it’s pretty special, and we are excited to get going.”

Senior guard Jess Allar scored 18 points to lead top-seeded New Prague to a 58-38 win over second-seeded Hill-Murray in the Class 3A, Section 4 final Thursday at St. Paul Washington High School. The Trojans advance to the state Class 3A tournament, where their last appearance was in 2013.

Sophomore forward Taylor Hustad chipped in 16 points for New Prague (24-4), which is No. 4 in the final rankings by Minnesota Basketball News.

Junior forward Sami Schneider led No. 6-3A Hill-Murray (20-7) with 18 points.

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