Fresno City College guard Madison Parrish was tired.

But she knew that also probably meant that Sierra players were even more fatigued.

Fresno City's women's basketball team, after all, makes its living pushing the tempo, playing in-your-face defense, subbing en masse, and its players always running up and down the court whether they have the ball or not.

It's this all-out, nonstop hustling that helps the Rams tire out opponents seemingly each season, and it once again worked Saturday in an 83-70 Northern California Regional semifinal victory that advanced Fresno City to the state final four.

Fresno City (30-3) led from start to finish, building a double-digit lead within the first few minutes of the first half. The Rams weathered any late Sierra rallies with clutch plays from Parrish, while also capturing their 22nd straight victory.

"I thought we came out with really good intensity," Parrish said. "We came out playing really good D, really hard. Even though we were getting tired, we have more on our bench. And us subbing allows us to be able to go this hard and wear out teams.

"That's what made us stick with the lead the whole time."

Parrish was the engine that pushed the Rams to full steam, always looking to get the ball upcourt quickly for post players who were streaking toward the basket or to guards waiting to catch a pass and launch a 3-pointer.

The fact that Parrish has little trouble dribbling to her left or right and can create her own shot almost at will also is of great benefit to the Rams.

Even when Sierra tried to use a full-court press to get the ball out of Parrish's hands, the former Hanford High star found ways to dribble through it or heave long passes that turned into points.

Like when Sierra cut the deficit to eight points with about 11 minutes left. Parrish answered with a bullet pass to Jenae Alcantar for a 3-pointer in the right corner. Or when Sierra brought it back to single digits at nine points a few minutes later. Parrish responded with a long heave to a sprinting Chay Coffman for a fast-break layup.

Parrish, a 5-foot-9 guard who transferred from Fresno State before this season, finished with 23 points and four assists. Parrish is signed to play at Pacific next season.

"She's the best player in the state," Rams coach Brian Tessler said. "I know I'm probably biased, but I think she does everything. She defends, she scores, she handles the ball, she facilitates the game. I think she's been playing her best basketball in the playoffs. And I think you saw that tonight."

Fresno City's Keyora Wharry added 13 points and a team-high six rebounds. The Rams forced the Wolverines into 17 turnovers, with 14 coming in the first half as Fresno City built a 47-29 halftime lead.

Sierra received 29 points from Ericka Magana.

Fresno City, which was the No. 2 seed in NorCal, will next play Mt. San Antonio College (32-0), the top seed from SoCal, to start the final four next Saturday at the Cosumnes River College gym in Sacramento.

"We're all really excited," Parrish said. "We're all ready to win it all.

"Definitely, I think this is the best we're playing. We're all jelling really well together. We're comfortable with each other on the court."