By Michael Adams
Austin Sports Journal
GEORGETOWN – Liberty Hill senior guard Gabby Mundy dreamed about this moment.
On Friday, Mundy’s goal of helping the Lady Panthers return to the state tournament came to fruition at Georgetown High School.
Mundy scored a game-high 27 points to lead Liberty Hill to a decisive 58-40 victory over district rival Cedar Park in the Class 5A Division II Region IV final.
A familiar foe
Friday’s regional championship was the fourth meeting between the two rivals from District 25-5A.
Cedar Park (28-9) and Liberty Hill (35-4) met in the final of the Austin High holiday tournament on Dec. 28, a game the Lady Panthers dominated 55-34.
The Timberwolves and Lady Panthers met again 13 days later at Cedar Park where Liberty Hill escaped with a 56-55 victory.
Cedar Park finally got the best of their rival in the regular season finale at Liberty Hill with a 55-44 victory.
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Lady Panthers pull away in the second half
Friday’s contest wasn’t as lopsided as the 18-point deficit might indicate.
Cedar Park stayed within striking distance through the first 16 minutes of the game and only trailed by three at haltime, despite Liberty Hill holding leading scorer Hope Edwards to just two points in the first half.
Junior guard Ahnna Breiner made up the difference for Timberwolves and scored 10 of her 13 points in the first half. The Lady Panthers contained Breiner in the seocnd half, but that opened the door for Edwards to score 11.
Unfortunately for Cedar Park, Liberty Hill came at the Timberwolves from every angle. Mundy scored 15 seocnd-half points, with seven coming from the free-throw line.
Senior post Evie Bruce scored five of her 12 points in the second half before fouling out in the fourth quarter. The Lady Panthers also got contributions from Lindsey Bullock, Renee Simmons and Audrey Richardson.
Two sports, two state tournaments
Burce will make her second appearance in a UIL state tournament despite it being her first for basketball.
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga signee is a four-year letterman for the Lady Panthers volleyball team, which reached the volleyball state tournament in 2023.
Liberty Hill will face the winner of Saturday’s Region III final between Bryan Rudder and Mount Blevieu Barbers Hill in the Class 5A Division II semifinals.