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Friday
March 29th, 2024

fowlerinhuddleLiberal Lady Redskins coach Brandi Fowler tells her team, “Don’t let up” in the second half. L&T photo/Earl WattEARL WATT • Leader & Times

 

After playing a close first half against Garden City in the first round of Sub-State Wednesday night in The Big House, the Lady Redskins erupted midway through the third quarter and continued to drive forward for a 56-38 win.

Liberal advanced to a rematch with Dodge City in the Sub-State championship, and the winner will advance to the state tournament.

Liberal shot out to a 5-0 lead when Aubrey Warden made a basket while being fouled and hit the free throw, and Rylie Hallman followed with a basket.

The Lady Redskins pushed to a 7-2 lead with 2:27 to play in the first quarter, but Aileen Becerril hit a three-pointer with 43 seconds to play in the period, and after the Lady Buffaloes forced a stop, Becerril fired up a three at the buzzer that went in, and the Lady Redskins trailed 9-7.

breedribblesaroundBree Horyna dribbles down the baseline against Garden City Wednesday in the first round of Sub-State. Hourna scored 16 points in a 56-38 win. L&T photo/Earl WattGarden City built the lead to 10-7 and still had a 13-11 lead with 4:30 to play in the first half until Reece Hay drained a three for a 14-13 lead.

Garden City answered with a basket to regain the lead, but Warden answered with a free throw for a tie, and Hay drained another three for an 18-15 Liberal lead.

Bree Horyna pushed the lead to fice with a putback basket, and by the end of the first half, Liberal had a 22-18 lead.

Ashley Carrillo opened the second half with a pair of free throws, but the Lady Buffaloes were able to cut the lead to 24-22 with 6:12 to play in the third quarter.

The game changed on the next play when Carrillo knocked down a three while being fouled. She was called for a technical after the play, and she missed her free throw that would have been a four-point play, but Julie Calzonetti missed both technical free throws, and Liberal led 27-22.

But the play energized the Lady Redskins, and Horyna followed with a driving basket before Halle Payton hit a shot underneath, and Horyna added another basket before Hallman hit one of two free throws, and with 3:42 to play in the third quarter the Lady Redskins had a 34-24 lead.

Liberal coach Brandi Fowler wanted to make sure the lead stuck, and during a time out she told her team, “Don’t let up.”

They didn’t.

By the end of the third quarter the Lady Redskins had a 38-27 lead and opened the fourth with an 8-0 run that included a three from Carrillo, and the Lady Redskins had a 46-27 lead.

Liberal maintained the lead the rest of the way for the 56-38 win.

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“It was all heart,” Carrillo said. She struggled early but came on to score 14 points, 10 of those in the second half.

“I was waiting,” she said. “My shots weren’t falling, so I started to drive and kick and see what I can do for my team.”

But the foul on the three sparked the emotion, even though it led to a technical.

“I looked right at (assistant coach Chris) Brooks,” she said. “He screamed at me, and I screamed at him. I didn’t realize the girl was right at my feet. It happens.”

Horyna led the Lady Redskins with 16 points. Carrillo had 14, and Warden scored 10.

“We had some mental lapses in the first half,” Fowler said. “It wasn’t anything special. The girls knew what to do and stepped up in the second half.”

Fowler said the key when shots weren’t falling early was to be solid elsewhere.

“We struggled to hit water if we fell out of a boat,” she said. “We had to step up in other areas.”

Liberal plays Dodge City at 3 p.m. Saturday, and the winner advances to State.

EARL WATT • Leader & Times

 

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