SAN ANTONIO

It didnt come easily, but historic accomplishments rarely do.

On Friday at the Alamodome, Liberty Hills girls basketball team advanced to a state championship game for the first time in school history with a dramatic 49-45 victory over Godley in a Class 4A semifinal. Rescued by a closing 11-0 run, the Panthers earned the right to face two-time defending state champion Argyle on Saturday night in a rematch of a 2016 4A semifinal.

For at least a few hours, though, any thoughts about a rematch against Argyle or an emotional reaction to their victory could wait for the Panthers, now 36-2.

Theres no tears after this game, Liberty Hill senior guard Andrea House said. Im saving those for tomorrow after we win.

With less than two minutes to play Friday, it appeared that House and her teammates would be the ones wiping away tears after a sixth consecutive state semifinal loss. The Panthers faced a seven-point deficit entering a timeout, but head coach Chris Lange picked up a good vibe in the huddle.

Id like to say I was nervous, but I wasnt, he said. I felt comfortable and confident; I never felt like we were going to lose. We talked about getting up in their faces, staying positive and attacking. Thats what we did. We stayed positive and kept attacking.

Liberty Hill rediscovered its swarming defense in the final two minutes, and Panthers junior forward Kandyn Faurie rediscovered her shooting touch.

The Panthers forced Godley (35-5) into five turnovers during their game-clinching run, and Faurie scored seven of her 16 points in that span. Her layup off an inbounds play with 58 seconds to go gave Liberty Hill its first lead of the fourth quarter, and junior guard Bethany McLeod clinched the victory with a pair of free throws with 20 seconds to play.

Sedona Prince, Liberty Hills 6-foot-7 junior who has pledged to the Texas Longhorns, led all players with 17 points, scoring on an array of inside moves and turnaround jumpers. She also pulled down a game-high 16 rebounds in 31 minutes on the floor.

Liberty Hills swarming defense dominated the first half. Godley, which topped 60 points in four of its first five playoff games, made just three baskets and committed 10 turnovers in the first two quarters. At one point, the Lady Cats went more than nine minutes without a point as Liberty Hill built a 16-8 lead.

Godley upped the tempo after halftime, though, and put up 18 points in the third period alone. The Lady Cats committed only three turnovers in the second half before the games final two minutes.

We werent getting back in transition and getting out on their 3-pointer shooters, McLeod said. We just gave them too much room to shoot.

Still, Liberty Hill never gave up against a Godley team that shot 50 percent from the floor after the break, including 6 of 12 from 3-point range.

The journey is not over, Lange said. Its always been about one more. One more rep, one more practice, one more game. We have exactly what we wanted.

That means a rematch against Argyle, which beat Liberty Hill 43-32 last year in the Alamodome and 34-26 earlier this season.

They play very well together, and theyve been doing it a while, Lange said of Argyle, which raced past Wharton 71-31 Friday as all-state forward Vivian Gray scored 25 points and grabbed 15 rebounds. Thats what makes them dangerous. Vivian is an outstanding player, but I have a few of those myself.

UIL GIRLS BASKETBALL: STATE TOURNAMENT

When: Through Saturday

Where: Alamodome, San Antonio

Tickets: A general-session ticket costs $19. (Children 2 and younger are admitted free but may not occupy a seat.)

Parking: Available in Alamodome lots for $15.

THURSDAY

Class A semifinals

Nazareth 63, Slocum 31

Dodd City 59, Garden City 36

Class 3A semifinals

Buffalo 50, Mount Vernon 43

Canadian 76, Goliad 34

Class 5A semifinals

Canyon 66, Barbers Hill 39

Mansfield Timberview 66, Corpus Christi Flour Bluff 41

FRIDAY

Class 2A semifinals

Martins Mill 58, Weimar 50

Panhandle 62, Woden 37

Class 4A semifinals

Argyle 71, Wharton 31

Liberty Hill 49, Godley 45

Class 6A semifinals

Pflugerville (31-6) vs. Cypress Ranch (31-6), late

Duncanville (37-2) vs. Converse Judson (28-6), late

SATURDAY

8:30 a.m. Class A final: Nazareth (34-1) vs. Dodd City (32-3)

10 a.m. Class 3A final: Buffalo (28-4) vs. Canadian (32-3)

1:30 p.m. Class 2A final: Martins Mill (37-2) vs. Panhandle (29-6)

3 p.m. Class 5A final: Canyon (30-3) vs. Mansfield Timberview (37-2)

7 p.m. Class 4A final: Argyle (36-2) vs. Liberty Hill (36-2)

8:30 p.m. Class 6A final

For results of Pflugervilles Class 6A semifinal game Friday night against Cypress Ranch and other high school basketball, go to statesman.com.

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Liberty Hill breaks through at state, advances to Class 4A final - Austin American-Statesman