The demise of the reigning state champion Hollywood Christian girls basketball team, who will play the balance of the season without star forward and Michigan signee Rebecca Lyttle, was exaggerated after all.

Dismissed as state contenders after Lyttle, the 2011 Class 1A Player of the year, went down with an ACL injury, the Eagles and its rallying cry of “next girl up” beat Palm Beach Dwyer 65-50 in the South Florida Holiday Girls’ Basketball Classic Finals at the Dr.

Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center in Hollywood on Friday night.

Ariah Osceola was an easy choice for Tournament MVP after she capitalized on the open looks she got off the Eagles’ ‘dribble-drive offense’ and finished with a game-high 27 points, including five three-pointers. Sarah Kelton added 15 points and Shamauria Bridges proved electric in the open court with 10 points.

“Seeing Rebecca go down, Ariah is a senior that understands if we want to get back to Lakeland and be successful she personally has to step her game up to another level,’’ said Eagles coach Carlos Adamson. “With Rebecca being off the floor, Ariah understand that and has taken that challenge head on.”

After carrying the Eagles (11-3) with 14 first-half points, Osceola snuffed all hopes of a Keyana Harris-led Dwyer (15-2) comeback by hitting one big shot after another in the fourth quarter to close out the game.

Following a 20-footer and two free throws from Harris that cut the lead to 47-39 with 5:40 left in the period, Osceola converted a three-point play off a spin move while being fouled, hit a three-pointer from the right wing and then capped the Eagles 13-4 run with another deep bomb for a 60-43 lead with 2:34 left.

“I just believe in what I do,’’ said Osceola. “I believe my shots will go in every time. I’m just trying to do what I can to help my team out. Rebecca was a big part of our team. You can’t make up for her . She was our best player. We all just have to put in the extra work.”

HC (11-3): A. Osceola 27, Bridges 10, Kelton 15, Jackson , Jinks 6, Isaac 4.

Dwyer (15-2): Ingraham 3, Glodis 8, Harris 15, Lee, Holmes 2, K. Bowers 13, Hayes 1, James 6.

Half: HC 24-17. Three-pointers: Rebounds: Jinks 11. Steals: A. Osceola 4. Assists: Kelton 7.