The superstar did all she could, but in the end, there wasn't enough to go around.

Providence Academy's tall, athletic lineup proved too much for Watertown-Mayer and its wonderful guard, Marissa Janning. The Lions held off Janning's feisty but undermanned Royals 54-51 to advance to the Friday's Section 5, Class 2A championship game at St. Cloud State.

Janning, who passed the 3,000 career point mark this season, struggled with her shooting in the first half, going 3-for-14 as Providence used a 14-0 run over the final seven minutes of the half to take a 26-17 lead.

"I might have been forcing it a little," Janning said. "I probably should have gotten my teammates involved a little earlier."

It's hard to fault Janning's effort, however, as Providence Academy -- with a lineup of three players 6-foot or taller -- did not allow smaller Watertown-Mayer room to maneuver inside.

Janning, who will play for Creighton next season, led all scorers with 27 points, 18 of them in the second half-rally.

The Lions, ranked No. 1 in Class 2A, improved to 23-4 behind 21 points from senior center AnnMarie Healy and 10 from guard Leah Szabla.

Though disappointed, Janning admitted she wasn't surprised by the outcome. "They are such a good team, and Anne Marie is just a fantastic athlete," she said. "... They were just better inside than we were."

JIM PAULSEN