Final Score By Chuck Licata I’m guessing 90 percent of this sports section is all about the Liberty Hill Lady Panthers and their first-ever berth in the UIL state tournament. Certainly, there’s plenty to be written about (and said) as Charice Hankins, Kristen Brewer and Carlos Garza and the Lady Panthers get set for the [...]

By Chuck Licata “Third time’s a charm”: Those exact words were spoken by LHHS senior pitcher/first baseman Kourtney Bevers during the K-MAC Sports postgame show Saturday after the Lady Panthers swept two games from Columbia (3-2 on Friday, 2-0 on Saturday). Panthers’ Prime Time announcers Chuck Licata and Billy Walker had just asked Bevers about [...]

3A STATE SEMIFINALS, SOFTBALL: Thursday, May 31 9 a.m. Lufkin Hudson (34-5) vs. West (29-9) 12 p.m. Henderson (29-8) vs. Liberty Hill (27-8)   By Chuck Licata Considering the Liberty Hill High School athletic teams have all gone at least two rounds in the playoffs; and, considering both LHHS cross country teams, the girls’ basketball [...]

By Chuck Licata The following are postgame comments from Liberty Hill’s coach, players and community members from Saturday (May 26) after the LHHS Lady Panthers defeated Columbia, 2-0, to clinch its first-ever berth in the state softball tournament. Coach Charice Hankins: “The kids wanted it today – they didn’t want a third (and deciding) game [...]

By Merle Bertrand, Sportswriter After an inconsistent 2011 baseball season (14-15-1, 5-5) that saw them miss the playoffs, the 2012 Liberty Hill Panthers had something to prove. Coach Mike Kristan’s club entered the new season not bursting with braggadocio, but infused with a quiet determination to prove that the prior season’s disappointment was an uncharacteristic [...]

By: Merle Bertrand, Sportswriter “When we first started this season, we said, ‘We are going to State.’ That was our definite plan from the beginning,” recalled Liberty Hill Lady Panthers shortstop Paige Lafferty. “Clearly, we’re on the right path because we have one more game till we’re in the state tournament, which is definitely what [...]

The Liberty Hill VFW Post 8200 will hold a Memorial Day Ceremony to honor all Veterans at the VFW Monday, May 28.  Breakfast will be at 7 am followed by the ceremony at 8 am.  The public is invited to attend.  Come on down and honor our fallen heroes.  Guest speaker will be State Commander [...]

From Staff Reports Jonah “Mongoose” Pearson has committed to the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and will play football for the Crusaders. His decision was delayed, as he weighed the variety of options and opportunities offered. He chose UMHB over spring break, because of the school’s reputation, both athletically and academically. UMHB officials were diligent, respectful, [...]

Peterson: “I would be lying if I said we weren't going to miss (the seniors)” By Chuck Licata The Liberty Hill High School track and field program is in good hands moving forward. That, according to LHHS head track coach Jimmy Duncan and girls’ coach Gretchen Peterson. Certainly, the recent run of success has been [...]

By Chuck Licata Pitching? No problem here: Obviously, freshman Sam Junkin’s five-hit shutout in Game 2’s 4-0 victory was a highlight for the LHHS staff, as she followed up Kourtney Bever’s 140-pitch, 2-1, eight-inning victory from Friday with an outstanding performance in the series clincher. Junkin, who owns three of Liberty Hill’s four postseason victories, [...]

  Final Score by Chuck Licata Some would say it’s “destiny” for the LHHS softball team to get to the 3A state tournament in two weeks. Not too many would argue. Coach Charice Hankins’ Lady Panthers beat what was the #1-ranked team in the state, Sweeny, in two very close and exciting games this past [...]

LHHS sweeps Sweeny; Lady Panthers 1 step away from state By Chuck Licata Shades of 2010. The Liberty Hill Lady Panthers – the softball version – are back “where they belong.” Thanks to a two-game sweep of the previous #1-ranked team in the state, Sweeny Lady Bulldogs, last weekend (a 2-1, 8-inning victory on Friday, [...]