GIRLS BASKETBALL: Liberty keeps foot on gas in 58-47 win over Bishop Gorman

In a matchup of two of the top teams in the state, it was the Liberty girls basketball team that took an early lead and led wire-to-wire against Bishop Gorman in a 58-47 win on Saturday at South Point Arena.

Liberty opened the game with an 11-3 run and did not look back as it kept the pressure consistent until the final whistle.

“Our preparation really helped us out,” Liberty coach Chad Kapanui said. “Our players need to prepare like this every single game. I think if we can prepare for every game like we prepared for this one, we’ll be OK.”

Liberty (21-1) was rested, having not played since Jan. 11, but still had several days of hard practice in preparation for the Gaels (17-4). That preparation was evident in the final quarter, as there was an obvious difference in stamina. Both teams scored 17 points, but Liberty did allow Gorman to fight its way back into the game.

“You could kind of see in the end there they were gassed and were still going,” Kapanui said.

Saturday’s game was part of the Big City Showdown, a game Bishop Gorman won last year, 50-46. Liberty junior Dre’una Edwards, who led all scorers with 20 points, said the Patriots’ loss last year may have given them an edge this time around.

“I honestly think they came in here a little big-headed from last year,” Edwards said. “They thought they were going to come in here and win because they won last year. So I feel we were mentally and physically prepared but they weren’t.”

Edwards also added 15 rebounds and six assists, which helped make up for the loss of a starter. Liberty junior London Pavlica woke up sick and was forced out of the game. Senior Alexis Tomassi started in her place and scored 11 points.

“You know what, somebody else came in and stepped up and that’s how the game is,” Kapanui said. “When someone goes down, someone has to step up.”

Kapnui said he was pleased to see his team respond well to the change in lineup and play as well as it did for the full four quarters.

“It’s always difficult to do against good teams,” Kapanui said. “But what we had to do was prepare a lot better, we had to do a lot of things different. Having a week off really helped us out too.”

Beatty 44, Beaver Dam 28 — At Littlefield, Arizona, Claudia Granados led all scorers with 13 points as the Hornets took down the Diamondbacks.

Alexia Gil scored 11 and Karina Villanueva had 10 points for the Hornets.

Noemi Ruiz and Jailene Hernandez each scored seven for the Diamondbacks.

Lincoln County 56, Lake Mead 26 — At Panaca, Kia Phillips scored 16 to help the Lynx down the Eagles.

Kailey Kelley had 13 points and Sadie Soderborg scored 12 for the Lynx.

Aaliyah Perkins led the Eagles with 16 points.

Needles 55, The Meadows 14 — At Needles, California, Paige Murch led three scorers in double-digit point totals with 12 points as Needles took down The Meadows.

Brenna Chavez scored 11 and Valentina Limon had 10 points for Needles.

Round Mountain 60, Word of Life 22 — At Round Mountain, the Knights routed the Eagles.

Contact reporter Bill Slane at bslane@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4559. Follow @bill_slane on Twitter.