EARL WATT
• Leader & Times
The Lady Redskins found themselves in a hole Saturday in the Sub-State championship against Wichita East before they battled back to force overtime.
But every possession was magnified in the bonus period, and a couple early misses by the Lady Redskins led to a loss.
Liberal finished the season 15-7, and head coach Brandi Fowler said effort was never an issue.
“I was super proud of the girls, they fought so hard,” Fowler said. “They didn’t let the scoreboard dictate their energy or how hard they were going to play. Even down nine going into the fourth quarter they fought really, really hard. When we got into overtime, just a couple key possessions didn’t go our way and then it got out of reach. The effort was there 100 percent of the time all season long. I’m very proud of these girls.”
Fowler took a time out in the first quarter when she saw just how amped up the Lady Redskins were after a couple of passes sailed over the heads of teammates.
“You could tell our shots were really long,” she said. “We were making some silly passes. We thought it was important to calm them down. They were little balls of nerves in the locker room before the game. It was really important for us to put it in perspective for them. It’s basketball. We play this all the time. They did a good job responding.”
When East took a double digit lead, that could cause a team to fold.
“Not this team,” Fowler said. “We are a competitive bunch in that locker room. They want it for each other. They continue to fight. Kylie (Rhine) calmed them down in the huddle one time. She said, ‘Basketball is a game of runs. Let’s just go on a run.’ That helped put it in perspective for everyone. We just came up short.
It was the last game for four Lady Redskins completing their senior season.
“They are a great group of kids,” Fowler said. “They’ve been together since they were freshmen. I love each and every one of them. Lexi Miller is intense and competitive. Hannah McCarter’s defense tonight made a huge impact. Zoey Torres is a bull, she is so strong and tough. Kamilah Delgado never played basketball until seventh grade and never played on a traveling team. If you want it and will put in the work, these four seniors are a testament to what you can do.
After the heartbreaking loss, the Lady Redskins gathered in the locker room for the last time as a team.
“It was tough,” Fowler said. “Especially for the seniors. This game is a great lesson and analogy for life. You face tough stuff and you get back up, and as a team this season we did that on the court and off the court.”
