In the span of nine seconds, with one shot – and one resulting swish – 18 years of waiting was over.

Hazen freshman Airashay Rogers nailed a buzzer beating three-pointer to beat Bonney Lake (18-6) and lift Hazen (15-8) to state for the first time since 1991. Immediately after the shot, Highlander fans and players stormed the floor, jumping and yelling mid-court.

Hazen coach Jeff Bernhardt crouched down on the court away from the crowd – a moment to himself to put what has been his dream into what is now reality.

“In that moment it all hits you,” an emotional Bernhardt said after the game. “It feels unbelievable. Two years ago when I decided to come here, this is what you plan for. When you tell a gym full of 43 girls at Shorewood High School that you’re leaving to go home. This is what you leave for. To take your alma mater to state.”

Bernhardt graduated from Hazen in 1989.

With a 46-44 win against the Panthers in a West Central/Southwest bi-district March 6, the Highlanders showed they have what it takes to compete at the highest level.

Before that final nine seconds, the night looked like a disappointment. The Highlanders had led Bonney Lake by as many as 13 points in the second half, and now trailed by one point.

“I knew we had to make this shot and we only had nine seconds to do it,” Rogers said after the game. “So I grabbed it, ran down and put it up. It just went it.”

The Highlanders built a 12-2 lead in the first five minutes and a 14-4 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Fouls caught up to the team in the second quarter and Bonney Lake pulled to within four points, 18-14, by the half. Officials called 11 Hazen fouls, to only three Bonney Lake fouls in the first half.

That discrepancy led to an 11-2 Bonney Lake edge in free throw attempts in the half.

Hazen came out firing in the third quarter and built a 13-point lead with four minutes left in the period. Two minutes later, the Panthers went on a 12-0 run and closed the quarter just one point behind, 35-34.

“With a young team, it’s up to me and the staff to keep their heads up,” Bernhardt said. “Our effort in the first two and a half quarters allowed us to weather that storm. You just get back them focused on each possession.”

Bonney Lake took its first lead of the game, 39-37, minutes later on a three-pointer by Brittany Kennedy.

The two teams stayed close and Bonney Lake led by three with 59 seconds left. Chelsea Moorhead made a shot to cut the lead to one with 44 seconds left and Rogers made the final shot to win the game.

Rogers led Hazen with 21 points. Darralita Taylor scored 10 for Hazen.

State preview

Hazen’s one and only trip to state was in 1991, when the Highlanders went 1-2 in the tournament. Interestingly, Bernhardt’s sister was a point guard on that Hazen team.

The Highlanders will face Lakeside (16-9) in the first round of the 3A state tournament Wednesday at 2 p.m. at the Tacoma Dome.

If Hazen wins the first round against Lakeside, the Highlanders will play the winner of Kennedy/Hanford Thursday at 5 p.m. If Hazen loses to Lakeside, the Highlanders will face the Kennedy/Hanford loser Thursday at 10:30 a.m. All state tournament games are at the Tacoma Dome.

Click here for a look at the complete bracket.