Liberty Girls Fall to Northampton in District 11 Semi

Updated: 10:45 p.m.

The Liberty High School girls basketball team watched a 14-point second quarter lead disappear at the hands of a devastating 17-0 run by Northampton and the Konkrete Kids held on to post a 44-42 victory over the Hurricanes in the District 11 semifinals at Dieruff High School.

The Hurricanes weathered the second half run of Northampton and came within 36-35 with 3:40 to play. But Northampton, in the double bonus for most of the fourth quarter, converted enough free throws to edge away.

“We came out intense and it was hard for us to keep that intensity,” said Liberty head coach Amy Yencho. “They had that big run to tie the game and we held in there with them. I’m happy with our effort.”

The Hurricanes stormed out to a 23-11 midway through the second quarter with a 7-0 run as J.J. Hilliard and Jody Chickey paced the Liberty offense with nine and seven points, respectively.

Northampton wasn’t able to take advantage of its size edge and shot dismally, despite getting the ball inside the paint for what were high percentage shots.

Liberty held senior Kara Bonenbeger to one first half point, but she finished with 10.

The Hurricanes Jody Chickey led all scorers with 20 points.

Northampton will play Nazareth, the winner of the second game of the semi-final doubleheader, in the District 11 4A championship at 6 p.m. Friday at Liberty High School.

The Blue Eagles, led by senior Erika Livermore’s 13 points, opened up a close defensive contest in the fourth quarter and Nazareth went on to defeat Parkland, 36-28.

Liberty will face Parkland the D-11 4A third-place game Friday at 6 p.m. at Allen High School.

NORTHAMPTON (44)

Steph Bragg 2 3-4 7, Jackie O’Connell 0 0-2 0, Leandra Sterner 0 0-0 0, Kara Bonenberger 2 6-8 10, Allison Braithwaite 2 0-0 4, Michele Dally 0 0-0 0, Lauren Szerencsits 0 0-0 0, Chelsea Hall 3 1-6 7, Alesha Marcks 7 2-4 16. Totals 16 12-24 44.

LIBERTY (42)

J.J. Hilliard 5 0-0 11, Shay Lewis 0 0-0 0, Kali Shumock 1 0-0 2, Hawaou Doukoure 0 0-0 0, Jody Chickey 8 2-5 20, C.J. Hilliard 4 0-1 9, Maggie Zerbe 0 0-1 0. Totals: 18 2-7 42.

Northampton --7  8  11 18 – 44

Liberty – 11 12 5 14 -- 42