The defending-champion Old Mill girls basketball team advanced to the Class 4A state championship game by defeating fourth-seeded Gaithersburg, 40-27, yesterday at Catonsville Community College.

Cindy Davenport scored a season-high 17 points, and Stacy Himes added 12, as the top-seeded Patriots (24-1) won their 19th straight game. The onlyother Patriot to score was Christine Baer, who had seven points.

The Trojans (20-6) were led by Jenny Higgins' seven points.

The Patriots can retain their state title with a win over second-seededBowie in Saturday's 3 p.m. final at Catonsville.

See the main sports section for details about the game.