It's such an old phrase and so cliche, but defense simply does win championships.

Top-seeded Centennial was relentless in its own end throughout the Class 4A, Section 5 playoffs.

In three postseason games the Cougars allowed an average of 38.3 points and concluded its impressive run through sections with a 61-43 victory against No. 2-seed Champlin Park on Friday at Anoka High School.

The Cougars' section championship game dominance was preceeded by equally convincing wins over Wayzata 73-31 and a 59-41 win on Tuesday against conference rival Osseo in the section semifinals.

"We've played good defense all year, but not like what we just did these last three games," Cougars coach Greg Amundson said.

Centennial is led by its seniors, six in total, all who play significant minutes.

Experience, chemistry and the will to stop their opponents has put the Cougars in the state Class 4A tournament.

"We've been waiting four years for this," senior Destinee Morris said. "Our defense was really good since sections began, and we just really wanted it."

"We took the reigns off them a bit and let them run and play defense," Amundson said. "I'm just ecstatic for them because they played so well, especially for those seniors."

Amundson took a little more time describing his seniors and how much he cared for them, how much he loved them and spending time with him.

When he saw a ladder go up and his six seniors prepping to cut down the net, he simply said, "I gotta go do this."

Of the six seniors for the Cougars, two share an even more special bond.

The aforementioned Destinee Morris and her twin sister Daizjay.

The two have been Cougars regulars since they came on board as freshmen. They will end their high school careers with a run in the big-school state tournament.

"We've been talking about doing this together for a long time," Daizjay said. "I just can't believe it is here now. It is pretty amazing that we get to do this together."

The Morriss' were just their normal selves on Friday night. Destinee leading the way with 12 points and sister Daizjah right behind with nine.

"It's really cool to do this with all of the seniors that we have been playing with for so long, but to do it with my sister is really special," Destinee said.