For Barbers Hill, a three-year quest is finally over.
Now it’s on to the Class 5A girls’ state basketball tournament in San Antonio this weekend (March 2-4) as the 2017 Region III-5A champions.
Leading scorer Charli Collier rebounded from a sub-par regional semifinal against Leander Rouse (two points, seven rebounds) and scored a game-high 20 points. While her supporting cast once again rose to the occasion as the Eagles defeated Georgetown 55-43 in the Class 5A Region III final at Delmar Fieldhouse.
“We knew they were going to double-team Charli, they had to,” said Barbers Hill head coach Tri Danley. “We had to have somebody step in and make some big baskets. Everybody on our team can shoot, but when you’re standing out there wide open it’s a little bit harder.
“The kids fought hard and we’ve had some kids come off the bench and hit some key baskets,” Danley said. “Christina Alvarez came in the first quarter and knocked down a 3-pointer. Then we followed that up with another one. It’s just part of our game.”
Leading 31-28 to begin the third quarter Barbers Hill nailed three consecutive three-pointers by Kayla Konarik, Logan Keene and Jaclyn Dobson.
Collier, a 6-foot-5 junior early pledge to UConn, scored eight points down the stretch to seal the victory.
“Three years in a row we came here and twice we lost to Bryan Rudder,” Collier said. “This time we said we’ve got to do it. It’s a new place (venue), a new time and a new year. We got it done this time.”
Barbers Hill, 34-4, limited Leander Rouse and Georgetown to a combined eight points in the fourth quarters at the regional tournament.
“Our backcourt is amazing, full of speed,” Collier said. “Madison (Armer) and I can block shots so our overall defense is great. Coach told us we were faster than both teams so just go out and play our game on both offense and defense.
Keene finished with 16 points.
Emery Herman led Georgetown with 16 points
“We still have to get it done at state, but we finally got it done here (regionals),” Collier said. “We played our hearts out and I’m so proud of my teammates. This is the best team that I’ve played on. We had to do it for Barbers Hill.”