JERRY HENKEL/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL | Liberty forward Chanel Nacua, left, grabs a loose ball and is fouled by Green Valley guard Tatiana Mosley during the Patriots’ 70-68 road win Friday night.
POSTED: Friday February 5, 2010
Understandably, Quintin Lester needed a few minutes to collect himself Friday night.
He’d just witnessed something that before this season Liberty’s girls basketball team had found impossible.
Still shaking, still pumping his right fist and with tears forming in his eyes, the first-year coach managed finally to catch his breath and his thoughts.
“I’m so proud of these kids right now,” he said after the Patriots worked around a 26-turnover first half for a stunning 70-68 victory at Green Valley.
Liberty (20-4, 11-1 Southeast), which before this season never had been in the race for the league title, reclaimed sole possession of the top spot and holds the tiebreaker over the Gators (21-3, 10-2).
Liberty needs a win in either of its last two games to earn a share of the title. Two wins would get the outright crown.
But unlike on Jan. 19 when Liberty blew out Green Valley, 86-60, this one almost got away early.
The Patriots made just 6 of 20 shots and committed 26 turnovers in the first half yet trailed only 36-25 at the break.
“We knew they bring pressure,” Lester said. “We just needed to remain calm.”
Still down six with just more than two minutes to go, the Patriots turned to guards Jade Washington and Amanda Delgado for a spark.
A three-point play by each and two more free throws by Delgado resulted in an 8-0 run in 57 seconds and a 67-65 lead with just more than a minute left.
“They never give up,” Lester said. “They’re our two hardest workers. You have to love it when your two best players are your two hardest workers.”
After the Gators missed two free throws, Liberty ran 35 seconds off the clock before Phoebe Baker hit two free throws to extend the lead to 69-65.
Sarah Pickus’ three-point play with 11.9 seconds left brought Green Valley within a point, and after Washington made 1 of 2 free throws a second later, the Gators had hope. But Angelica Mack’s 3-point bid at the buzzer rimmed out.
Delgado totaled 25 points — nine of those in the fourth quarter. Washington scored 12 of her 17 in the final period.
Destiny Whitehead had 17 points and Daynice Cochran 17 rebounds for Liberty, which had eight second-half turnovers.
Pickus led Green Valley with 23 points and 10 rebounds. Jazmine Jarvis scored 15 points, Mack 14 and Danielle Christenson 12. Mack also had 16 rebounds.
to Elliot: Liberty might not be the best team in the SE region and still have a way to go... but Liberty can turn things around just like they did with GV...so who knows??? Wait and see....ha?
It's the same scenario as Silverado had two years ago. Silverado played Reno in the first semifinal game and nearly beat Reno. That would have put them in the final game against Gorman. Which ever teams wins the Sunrise would only play Gorman or Cent in the finals if they beat one of the Northern teams.
to Elliot ; umm gorman and centenial are beatable ! just like green valley they don't do good under pressure. you might not no thisbut cenntenial lost to a summer team which had libertys whitehead on it now imagine with Washington delgado and Cochran in the mix , it won't be that hard and liberty would only have to beat one of them cause look at the bracket gorman and centennial have to beat each other out. so right now it's looking good for liberty !!!!
To the Liberty Fan, ummm let me put it this way, Liberty can't be the best in the state because you have Reno up north that would blow them out, and then you have Gorman and Centennial from Sunset that will blow them out.
They might just be the best in Sunrise, but that's not saying much.
No matter what you guys say...GV coach has proven his worth all these years and so has Liberty Coach in his first year of coaching these girls...or any coach for that matter...these coaches have worked hard, motivated and inspired these girls to play beyond their expectations...why can't we just watch...have fun and play!!! May the best TEAM win in the SE Division...
Silverado coach is the best coach in town!
Coach Q is doing a good job, but he's not the best in the city. Weir at Centennial is the best hands down.
it was a close game and green valley can still beat liberty for the sunrise championships. no doubt. good job patriots!
I am so proud of the Patriots! You have to be careful when you are thinking your team will win and you stop coaching. Green Valley's coach is arrogant and cocky. When GV played Liberty @ home and they were down by so many, it was apparent AGAIN that he stopped coaching and paced back & forth. Ridiculous!
Coach Q has a vision for Liberty and it will come to pass. He has girls that are dreamers and team players. Their tears and sweat will pay off..... watch out... the Lady Patriots will go far!!!
I vote Coach Q for Coach of the Year!!
liberty is the best !!!!! ask green valley LOL.
The Green Valley sports heyday slips further and further away. The new decade will belong to Foothill and Liberty.
good game liberty!! you guys will go to state this year and and probaly win it next year with the stacked team you will have!
liberty is the best team on this side of town ! & soon that would change to the best team in the state , they are unstopable.
Liberty is better than GV. Period!
didn't I see that submission hold in a UFC fight. wondering if the ref called a foul on that obvious armbar.
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