@JayCollins_1

Austin, TX-            

         The Liberty Hill lady Panthers (23-0 overall, 3-0 district) defeated Lake Creek (15-7 overall, 3-0 district) in a 40-28 win in the semi-finals of the Lake Travis Holiday basketball tournament.

This game started off slowly as both teams couldn’t seem to get into any rhythm on offense. After converting on a few well-executed plays, Liberty Hill was able to edge out to an early lead in this one as they led 10-6 after the first quarter.

Both teams started to pick it up offensively in the second quarter. Gabby Mundy for Liberty Hill and Chaney Spencer of Lake Creek traded baskets as both teams were trying to break away. Liberty Hill led 22-15 at the end of the first half and seemed to gain control although it was only a seven point advantage.

In the third quarter, the Panthers increased the lead and Gabby Mundy was the biggest reason why. She was all over the court getting steals and putting her teammates in the right position every time down. Her fingerprints were all over that third quarter as Liberty Hill led 34-21 going into the fourth quarter.

Liberty Hill controlled this one from tip-off until the final buzzer. Any run by Lake Creek was halted and the Panthers came out of this one on top by a final score of 40-28. They go on play Winnsboro high school in the championship match of the Lake Travis women’s basketball tournament Saturday, December 30th at 3:00 PM.

The lady Panthers are off to their best start in school history as they have started this season with 23 straight wins. Throughout the years this team has yielded some highly touted players, such as Sedona Prince, forward for TCU women’s basketball. Being unblemished in 5A classification at 23-0 is an impressive accomplishment thus far.

(2nd Semifinal Recap)

         The Host team, Lake Travis (17-7 overall, 5-1 district) fell short to Winnsboro (19-5 overall, 3-0 district) in a 57-49 loss in the second semifinal.

Most of this game was back and forth as both teams went on runs and fought back to keep it close. Lake Travis started the game off firing as Claire Kolkhorst knocked two 3 pointers in the first two minutes of the game.

It didn’t take long for Winnsboro to answer back as it became a three-point battle in this one. Neither team seemed to get anything flowing in the paint, but both squads were making their living from deep.

Lake Travis led 22-15 with 1:40 left in the first half and had everything clicking. But after a Winnsboro timeout, the tide shifted. Winnsboro went on a 9-2 run to end the half and tied the game at 24 to enter halftime.

As we entered the third quarter, neither team was able to gain momentum. Whenever either team made a good play, the other had an answer for it quickly. To end the quarter, Hadlee Brown hit a buzzer-beater three pointer to give Winnsboro the lead 39-38 going into the fourth quarter.

This fast-paced game slowed down in the fourth as tensions started to rise.After some stoppages and technical fouls, Winnsboro was the team that pulled through the adversity.

With most of the fourth quarter being tied, Winnsboro took the lead 48-44 with 2:40 remaining in the contest. Lake Travis wouldn’t get any closer in the final 2:40 as they dropped a hard fought contest to the Lady Raiders.

Winnsboro and Liberty Hill will now meet for the Championship on Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m, at Lake Travis High School.