Timmons Leads Panthers to Victory in Fourth Quarter
Liberty Hill’s basketball team pulled off an incredible comeback on Friday night, defeating Leander 46-39 in an intense battle for the district championship. The game, played on Leander’s home court, saw both teams enter with identical 11-1 records, making it a high-stakes contest.
Senior point guard Marchel Timmons had a quiet first three quarters, scoring just three points. However, in a dramatic final quarter, he erupted for 15 points, leading the Panthers to their 15th straight victory and securing the district title.
A Motivational Talk Sparks Liberty Hill’s Turnaround
Heading into the final eight minutes, Liberty Hill found themselves trailing 35-29. According to Timmons, the team had an important moment of reflection before the fourth quarter began.
“At the end of the third quarter, we sat on the bench and looked at each other,” Timmons said. “Coach Boren told us we had a whole quarter to get it done, and we had momentum coming out of the third. We had to go get it – if we wanted to be district champions, we had to take it from them.”
Leander’s Strong Start Puts Panthers on the Backfoot
Leander started the game with a dominant 8-0 run before Liberty Hill’s Colin Schulze and Justin Wukasch responded with back-to-back three-pointers. However, the Lions maintained control and ended the first quarter with a 12-6 lead.
In the second quarter, Leander’s Ryder Bradley was unstoppable, scoring 13 points in the period and bringing his total to 20 by halftime. His impressive performance helped the Lions extend their lead to 25-14 at the break.
Coach Boren’s Strategy Shifts Momentum
Despite trailing at halftime, Panthers head coach Blake Boren remained confident. During the halftime talk, he used psychology to take the pressure off his players and put it on Leander instead.
“In basketball – especially in high school – it’s hard to hold onto a lead,” Boren explained. “So, I told them they had no pressure because they had already lost the first half. The pressure was on Leander to maintain the lead – so we used that to our advantage.”
This shift in mindset paid off, as Liberty Hill came out strong in the third quarter. Schulze opened the half with a three-pointer, followed by another bucket. Timmons then added five quick points, while Jacob McLeod and Schulze contributed key baskets to cut the deficit to 35-29 heading into the final quarter.
A Fourth-Quarter Masterclass by Timmons
With the district title on the line, Liberty Hill delivered an exceptional performance in the final eight minutes. Timmons took control, scoring 15 of his 18 total points in the fourth quarter alone. His dominant play helped the Panthers outscore Leander 17-4 in the final period, securing the come-from-behind victory.
The win not only extended Liberty Hill’s winning streak to 15 games but also solidified their status as district champions. Timmons’ late-game heroics, combined with the team’s resilience, proved to be the difference-maker in a hard-fought contest.
Liberty Hill’s ability to overcome adversity and execute under pressure showcased their championship mentality. With this momentum, they now look ahead to the playoffs, where they will aim to continue their remarkable season.
