Ava Budde pulls up for a shot against Okanogan.
SPOKANE- The Liberty Lancer girls have beaten the best and have been beaten by the best this season. Liberty was 1-2 against league rival Colfax and defeated No. 2 ranked Warden in regional action, handing the Cougars their only loss of the year.
After losing to Colfax again in the semifinal round of the State 2B tournament, the Lancers matched up with No.4 Okanogan in the battle for 3rd place.
Liberty jumped out to a 17-7 lead after the first quarter was in the books. The Lancers cooled off in the second quarter and the Bulldogs clawed their way back in it, down 28-23 at the half.
The second half was almost a carbon copy of the first as the teams shot poorly from the field.
Okanogan took its first lead of the game on a jumper by Aleena Lafferty with 6:20 left in the third quarter. The lead changed hands nine times in the quarter, and Liberty led 41-40, heading into the game's final eight minutes.
A putback bucket by the Bulldogs' Sydney Sparks opened the fourth quarter and Okanogan never trailed again, winning a close one, 56-52.
Teagan Colvin led Liberty with 28 points, making 10 of 12 free throws. Ellie Denny added 16. The Lancers didn't take home the Gold Ball, but the 5th place hardware will look good in the trophy case.
Semifinal Round
Liberty took one on the chin, dropping a 74–49 game to Colfax. The Lancers trailed 15–6 at the end of the first quarter and were down 36–19 at the half. The Bulldogs had four players hit for double figures, led by Brynn McGaughy, who drained 22 points. She also pulled down 14 rebounds. Colvin led the way for Liberty with 24 points.
Quarterfinal Round
Despite shooting poorly, the Lancers had a reasonably easy time defeating 8th seeded Chief Leschi 53-42. Liberty's shutdown defense allowed the Warriors just 17 points through the first three quarters.
Chief Leschi turned the ball over 15 times and was out-rebounded 44 to 33.
Teagan paced the Liberty attack with 22 points and 14 rebounds. Grace Grumbly added 16 points, and Ellie Denny finished 11 points and 11 rebounds.
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