Liberty and Hazen girls basketball teams do battle

After an even first half, the Liberty girls basketball team started the second half in a flurry and beat Hazen 65-38 Saturday night.

While the teams were tied 25-25 at the half, the Patriots outscored the Highlanders 23-8 in the third quarter and 40-13 total in the second half.

"Both teams played well in the first half and Hazen did some really good things against us," said Liberty coach Randy Leifer. "But they got in some foul trouble and we went on a spurt late in the third quarter."

Katie Growden led Liberty's balanced scoring attack with 16 points. Breanne Faehnrich, Danni Sjolander and Corinna Van Hurston each scored nine points.

Airashay Rogers led Hazen with 16 points. The freshman is averaging 19 points per game in Hazen's past three contests. Darralita Taylor added 10 points.

Leifer said his adjustments included trying to control Rogers and not allowing Taylor get to the free throw line. Later in the game, the Patriots also switched to a zone press defense, which allowed for some easy buckets.

Liberty improves to 6-1 overall and 2-0 in the KingCo. The Patriots are alone in first place in the league. Liberty has two non-league games against Eastside Catholic tonight (Tuesday) and Fife (Friday) this week along with a make-up game against Sammamish (0-5) on Tuesday. The team returns to regularly-scheduled league play against Juanita (3-6) on Jan. 14.

"Everybody got hit with that break," Leifer said. "I don't think we've come back yet and played at that high level. The girls are working hard and playing together, but we feel like we still need to get better."

Hazen now stands at 3-3 overall and 1-2 in league play. The team is tied for fifth in the Seamount with Evergreen, Renton and Tyee.

The Highlanders start league play against Tuesday night against Renton (1-3).

Contact Renton Reporter Sports Reporter Adam McFadden at amcfadden@rentonreporter.com or 425-255-3484, ext. 5054.

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