3A Girls Semifinal | Barrow Ends Grace Christian's Three-Peat Run | March Madness Alaska 2026

Thursday, March 19, 2026 | UAA Alaska Airlines Center

Grace Christian had won this tournament three straight years. Two of those titles came against Barrow. Thursday the Whalers finally flipped it.

Barrow defeated three-time defending champion Grace Christian 50-39 in the 3A Girls semifinals, ending the Grizzlies' run and punching their ticket to the championship game for the first time since 2022. It was Barrow's first win over Grace in four postseason meetings.

The first half was a grind — both teams locked in defensively, Grace hanging around at 17-15 at halftime. Then Aiga Unutoa and Kylen Burnell started hitting and Barrow pulled away. Ahmela McFadden and Aiga Unutoa scored five quick points to open the fourth quarter and pushed the lead to double digits. Grace kept competing but couldn't find another gear.

Burnell finished with 15 points and Aiga Unutoa matched her. Zadah Unutoa controlled the paint and earned Player of the Game honors with 8 points. McFadden added 6, all on free throws, going 6-of-6.

Molly Schild kept Grace alive with 17 points and five threes. MJ van der Horst added 14. They brought the Grizzlies back within one point in the third quarter but Barrow had the answers when it mattered.

Barrow faces Monroe Catholic in the 3A Girls championship Saturday at 1:30 PM. Barrow last won the title in 2022. Monroe hasn't been to the title game in 21 years. Saturday one of them gets everything they came for.

Final: Barrow 50, Grace Christian 39 (3A Girls Semifinal)