Led by Burris, Liberty Union overwhelms MP
COLUMBUS – Madison Plains used multiple defenders on Liberty Union's Gabby Burris Tuesday.
As it turned out, it didn't matter who was guarding the sophomore sensation. Burris put on a show, scoring in variety of different ways to help lead the Lions to a convincing 71-34 Division III district semifinal win over the Golden Eagles at Hamilton Township.
Liberty Union (21-4) advances to the district final for the second consecutive year. The Lions will play at 8:30 p.m. Friday for the title at Ohio Dominican University against the Marion Pleasant-Bishop Ready winner.
Burris — who was selected as the Central District Division III player of the Year earlier in the day — showed why she was deserving of the honor.
She finished with a game-high 30 points on 12 of 16 shooting from the field, grabbed 13 rebounds and had three assists. She was 5 of 5 at the free throw line. She scored 15 points in each half, and didn't play the final six minutes of the game.
Burris scored inside, driving to the basket, rebounds, mid-range jumpers and she also hit a 3-pointer.
Burris didn't play in last year's tournament because she was injured. She is making up for lost time and has now scored 58 points in the Lions' last two tournament games.
"I'm a lot more excited because I'm allowed to be out there (this year) and I can gto have the chance," Burris said. "I just love playing the game. I have more fun when I start playing well and then just keep going and going, and I just feed off that.
"I also love how everyone tries to make a game plan to try and stop me. It motivates me to even go harder."
Liberty Union coach Adam Twiss said Burris practices likes she plays in games.
"She plays the same way she practices," Twiss said. "She is just that kind of kid.. She has a motor that does not stop. I've never been around a kid with the talent that she has and the amount of effort she gives night in and night out."
Burris scored 11 of the Lions' first 13 point of the game as Liberty Union took a 20-15 first-quarter lead. After Madison Plains hit a 3 to cut the deficit to 20-18 to start the second quarter, Burris answered with two consecutive baskets and Madi Foltz scored on a putback to push the lead 26-18.
After the Golden Eagles (12-9) missed four straight free throws, Landen Collins and Blake Collins hit back-to-back 3s to give the Lions a 32-18 advantage. Madison Plains was able to keep within striking distance by scoring the final five points of the second quarter to the margin to 32-23 at halftime.
Burris quickly stretched the lead to double digits early in the third quarter when she scored inside and hit a 3 to give the Lions a 37-23 lead.
Liberty Union's defense was stifling in the second half, and its offense was relentless. The Lions finished the third quarter on a 12-2 run and led 49-28 heading into the fourth quarter.
Burris scored inside to start the fourth quarter, Alyssa Moore and Blake Collins followed with 3s. Just like that, the Lions led 57-28.
Liberty Union made 14 of 22 shots in the second half, including 7 of 8 in the fourth quarter.
"We are really good at moving the ball and having the other team is chase us," Burris said. "We all e run the floor hard, it definitely felt like we wore them down."
The Golden Eagles not only had to worry about stopping Burris, but while doing that, it left the Lions' shooters open from 3-point range.
Liberty Union finished 8 3s. Blake Collins hit three 3s and finished with nine points, and Landen Collins had a pair of 3s and had eight points. Alyssa Moore added seven points.
Defensively, Alexis Mangette, Foltz and Brooke Kirkbride took turns guarding the Golden Eagles' leading scorer, Macy McCollister. She was averaging 18 points per game and they combined to hold her scoreless.
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