The Liberty Bell High School girls’ basketball team was missing leading scorer Katie Labanauskas and Emily Paul, both out with the flu, for two games at the Cascades Hoop Classic in Leavenworth last week, but the Lady Lions played two competitive games against bigger opponents.
In the opening game of the tourney, the Lady Lions were edged by host Cascade, 55-48. Senior Lauren Ochoa had her second straight 20-point game, scoring 22 to lead Liberty Bell. Sophomore Tommie Ochoa added 10 points.
The second game had a similar outcome — a 7-point deficit — as the Lady Lions fell to Royal, 55-48. Lauren Ochoa again led the way with 14 points for Liberty Bell.
“We had our chances in both games but fell short in the fourth quarter,” Liberty Bell coach Ed Smith said.
The Lady Lions were on the road at Manson on Tuesday (Jan. 2) and play at Tonasket on Thursday (Jan. 4). The next home game is on Saturday (Jan. 6) against Bridgeport, with tipoff at 6 p.m.
“We’re looking forward to getting back to league play with a full team,” Smith said.
The losses left Liberty Bell at 4-5 on the season, and 4-1 in league play.
Cascade 55, Liberty Bell 48 Lauren Ochoa 22, Tommie Ochoa 10, Sammy Curtis 8, Devin Surface 4, Ali Palm 3, Destiny Ferreira 1. Royal 46, Liberty Bell 39 Lauren Ochoa 14, Tommie Ochoa 6, Ali Palm 5, Sammy Curtis 5, Carlynn Treise 5, Devin Surface 4.
