Westlake, Glenn, Liberty Hill girls advance to regional quarterfinals

BUDA — Gianna Angiolet scored 20 points with three assists and three steals as Westlake raced to a 15-5 first-quarter lead and cruised past San Antonio Brandeis 54-39 in a Class 6A area-round playoff game Friday at Hays High School.

Angiolet was the fuel that powered the Chaps offense but the sharp-shooting senior guard got help from Kennedy Cannon, who added 12 points, eight rebounds, four steals, and three assists and Bella Hesse, who chipped in 11 points, three steals and three assists. Sophomore forward Tamia King had 11 rebounds as the Chaps kept the Broncos off balance and led 31-17 at the half. Brandeis rallied briefly to close to 39-30 after three quarters but Westlake used a 15-9 fourth quarter for the final margin.

Westlake, the District 26-6A champion advances to third round action, but District 25-6A winner Vista Ridge fell just short as it lost 48-43 to San Antonio Churchhill.

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Vista Ridge led 32-28 after three quarters in a rigorous defensive contest. Kianna Wormly hit a bucket to open a six-point lead to open he fourth quarter, but Churchill answered with a flurry, hitting a 3-pointer to cut the Rangers lead to 36-35 and forcing a Vista Ridge timeout.

Abby Seitz hit a bucket for the Rangers out of the timeout, but Alaina Hernandez drained a 3-pointer for the Chargers to tie the score at 38-38. Wormly notched a go-ahead bucket on a putback as the Rangers came down the floor to give Vista Ridge a 40-38 lead. Churchill responded with three straight free throws, the last by Ava Fernandez to take a 41-40 lead as the minutes ticked off the clock.

Churchill had a back-door screen and Hernandez hit a basket for a 43-40 lead, which prompted Vista Ridge head coach Keith Allen to call a timeout. The Rangers played great defense but struggled with several shots that were in and out, allowing Churchill to stay close then take a lead.

Churchill took a four-point lead on a free throw by Ava Fernandez, then Vista Ridge answered with a basket by Abby Seitz to cut the lead to 44-42 in the final minute.

The Rangers fouled Daphne Zuniga, who connected on one free throw for a 45-42 Churchill lead. Nadia Adeleke hit a free throw for the Rangers, then Hernandez nailed a free throw for the Charges as the seconds ticked off and the teams traded fouls with Churchill leading 46-43. The Chargers got a late putback for the final 48-43 margin.

In other action Friday, Glenn dominated Alamo Heights 61-24 in Class 5A as Soma Okolo scored 26 points while both Mariah Houston and Cindy Foka added 12 points each.

“This was the best defensive effort that I have ever had by a team” said Glenn head coach Kenny Mann. “I am extremely proud of them.”

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Also in Class 5A, Liberty Hill beat San Antonio McCollum 62-53. The Panthers improve to 34-2 while McCollum Cowboys had their 13-game winning streak broken.

La Grange ran into defending state champion and No. 1 Waco LaVega and lost to the Pirates 79-16. Kylie Trlicek scored five points for the Leopards, while Kaylee Holmes and Xeriah Jimenez added four points apiece.

Earlier in the week in Class 4A bidistrict action, Taylor beat Houston Worthing 78-27 as Madyson Mitchell scored 31 points with seven rebounds, five assists and six steals. Asia Zachary added 13 points, Tiana Candee scored 10 points with six boards and Ansley Reed finished with eight points, nine rebounds and five assists.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Westlake, Glenn, Liberty Hill girls advance to regional quarterfinals