A last second tip-in basket by Liberty lifted the ninth seeded Lions to a 41-40 win over eighth seeded Douglas Feb. 16 in the DHS gym in the first round of the 4A DII state playoffs in the HS gym.

Gaby Valencia scored a game high 15 points (all from the three-point range) to lead all scorers. Erika Tapia followed with 11, Aileen Nunez contributed six.

Liberty led Douglas 18-8 early in the second quarter. Douglas had cut the lead to seven when Valencia hit the first of three straight threes at the end of the half pulling Douglas within four, 20-16, at the break.

Valencia opened up the second half with a three and then followed that up with another three giving Douglas a 22-20 lead.

Tied 28-28 Liberty scored back-to-back baskets to go up four but back came Douglas as Tapia and Nunez each scored tying the game at 32 heading into the final period.

Liberty led by five early in the fourth when the Lady Bulldogs rallied once again. Tapia’s pair with 2:25 remaining in regulation tied the game at 37. With 70 seconds left in regulation Tapia was fouled and would hit one of two free-throws giving Douglas a 40-39 lead.

Both teams missed shots in the final seconds but it was a foul against Douglas with 7.9 seconds left that set up the game winning basket. Liberty missed the free throw but was in position for the put back taking a 41-40 lead. A last second heave by Douglas was far short as the Lady Bulldogs season ended at 18-4.

"I'd rather lose by 20 than lose like that," Douglas coach Clint Hill said. “This one hurts.”

Liberty would see its season end 72 hours later falling 48-19 to top-seeded Seton Catholic.

Gila Region champion Palo Verde would also see its season end Friday falling 52-50 to Williams Field.

This Thursday’s semifinals feature No.1 Seton Catholic vs. No. 4 Williams Field and No. 2 Flagstaff vs. No. 6 Page.

Looking back on the season the coach said his girls had a good year and really played well.

“It was a fun season,” he said. “This was a good bunch of girls. It’s unfortunate we have to end like this.”

The coach said his players gave it all they had each and every game and for that he is very proud of them.

The All-Gila Region team was announced Friday and Douglas has several players honored.

Erika Tapia landed first team honors.

Gaby Valencia was named to the second team and Aileen Nunez and Nythzia Machado each received honorable mention honors.

Palo Verde’s Daria Saunders was the player of the year and Palo Verde coach Eric Brock was the coach of the year.