When Centennial High girls basketball coach Karen Weitz went to get measured for her state championship ring two years, she instructed the fitter to use the dimensions from her wedding-ring finger. Weitz rarely takes that ring off, proudly sporting something she feels symbolizes what’s she built over the years at Centennial — the state’s most dominating program. Ever. They added to the legacy Friday night.
Liberty High senior Amanda Delgado scored 14 second-half points as the Patriots overcame a five-point halftime deficit to defeat Bishop Gorman 58-53 Thursday and advance to the Class 4A state championship. In the other state semifinal game, Centennial, a perennial state power, advanced to the state championship with an 84-57 victory over Reed High.
After cruising to easy victories in most of its games this winter, the Liberty High girls basketball team found itself in an unfamiliar place Friday during the Sunrise Regional championship game. The Patriots only led Foothill by four points at halftime.
Two Henderson area girls basketball teams Thursday won Sunrise Regional semifinal games to advance to Friday’s title game. Liberty, the Southeast Division champions, made quick work of Canyon Springs in a 78-42 win. Foothill didn’t have it as easy, using a pair of free throws from Christina Nash with 11.9 seconds to play in a 39-38 victory against Valley.
Liberty showed why its so highly-regarded in the third quarter of a 66-58 victory against Canyon Springs Tuesday night. Behind Jade Washington and Amanda Delgado, the Patriots went on a big run to turn a narrow 33-31 halftime lead into a commanding 55-41 advantage.
Liberty girls basketball coach Quintin Lester describes Amanda Delgado as one of the goofiest girls he’s ever been around. That’s why her behavior before last year’s Sunrise Region Championship Game caught him off guard. Instead of joking and entertaining her teammates as usual, Delgado was intensely focused and silent. “She put on her war face,” Lester said. “That’s the best way to describe it.”
The Liberty girls basketball team dealt with something unfamiliar this preseason — extremely high expectations. After winning the Sunrise Region championship last year and advancing to the state tournament, many are pointing to the Patriots as one of the best teams in the area and possible state championship contenders.