EARL WATT
• Leader & Times
Liberal jumped out to a 13-0 lead against Lakin Tuesday in The Big House, and the Lady Redskins maintained momentum throughout the game to come away with a 67-34 win.
Kylie Rhine started the scoring with a three, and Shamari Lewis added another three with 5:39 to play in the first quarter that gave the Lady Redskins an 11-0 lead.
Zoey Torres followed with a putback bucket to stretch the lead to 13-0 before Lakin made its first basket of the game with 4:49 to play in the period.
Hannah McCarter answered with back-to-back buckets to push the lead to 17-2,
Six Lady Redskins had baskets in the first quarter including four from Rhine and another four from Lewis, two buckets from Torres and McCarter, and single baskets from Maliyah Mullens and Kamilah Delgado, and the Lady Redskins had a 31-9 lead after the first quarter.
The scoring slowed down in the second, but the lady Redskins were abel to maintain their lead and extended to a 41-17 halftime advantage.
Lewis took over in the third quarter with four more baskets, and the Lady Redskin defense forced multiple turnovers that turned into transition baskets, and by the end of the period the Lady Redskins had a 60-28 lead.
Liberal coach Brandi Fowler made massive substitutions in the fourth quarter with ever Lady Redskin getting playing time. With the running clock in the fourth quarter, the Lady Redskins coasted to the 67-34 win.
Rhine led the Lady Redskins with 20 points, 11 of those in the first quarter.
Lewis scored 18, and eight Lady Redskins scored in the game.
“We got off to a great start defensively,” Fowler said. “The last couple of weeks has been solid defense and don’t give them an open look. We did a great job in the press, we used big arms, and we moved the ball well offensively in the half court. We love getting everyone in the game. It has been constant improvement. It’s been great.”
The Lady Redskins were able to push the ball to the post and either take the inside shot or find the open player at the three point line.
“It’s an advantage we have at the post,” Fowler said. “We need to exploit that. The girls are so selfless about it. The bigs share with each other. The guards get it inside. The posts can then kick it back out. The offense is coming together at a good time of the season.”
Liberal (12-5) moved up to fourth in the Class 6A West Division but will face a stiff challenge at undefeated Hays (15-0) Friday.
“We don’t take Hays lightly,” Fowler said. “A lot of the things we were working on will be used at Hays. The transition at Hays is so good. We can’t get beat getting back on defense. We have to be good on the glass and get it to the post on the inside. We know each other really well.”
As the final stretch begins, Fowler has seen her team grow.
“The girls have learned so much and worked so hard,” she said. “They are getting better all the time. We will go at it hard, get prepared and hopefully come up with a great scout we can execute.”
Hays and Liberal are no strangers as long-time WAC rivals.
“We will bring our best, and they will bring their best,” Fowler said. “If you can make the trip it will be worth it.”
