Liberty earns first girls’ state basketball berth

NORTH LIBERTY — Protect the house. Go to state.

Natalie Ramsey understood the assignment.

Ramsey’s career-high 40 points propelled Class 5A No. 10 Iowa City Liberty to a 72-55 regional final victory over No. 11 Iowa City High (16-8) at home Tuesday, sending the Bolts (17-6) to state for the first time in program history.

“I’m just trying to do what I can to help the team … if I’m scoring two points or 30, I’m happy to do it as long as we get the win in the end,” Ramsey said. “The home court advantage was amazing tonight. There was a lot of energy.”

“Natalie is just an offensive threat, that’s what she is,” Liberty Coach Jaime Brandt said. “The last two games she’s come to score. I expected nothing less of her.”

Ramsey dropped 34 points in Liberty’s regional semifinal win against West Des Moines Valley on Feb. 22.

“We all know what a great player she is — she can score the ball anytime she wants to,” senior Madeline Casey said. “She’s also a great teammate. But we know once the ball is in her hands, it’s going in.”

Casey was the Bolts’ second leading scorer with 17 points, including three momentum-shifting treys in the second quarter.

“Maddie’s one of the best kids I’ve coached,” Brandt said. “Obviously she shoots the 3 really well, but how she’s progressed as a person and a basketball player the last four years, I couldn’t be more proud.”

City High’s biggest lead was six when the Little Hawks were up 29-23 with just under five minutes remaining in the second quarter.

That’s when Ramsey and Casey took over.

The duo closed the quarter exchanging buckets as the Lightning finished the half strong en route to a 38-34 halftime lead.

“We knew City High was a great team,” Brandt said. “They are well coached and they came out ready to battle.”

Liberty’s momentum carried over into the second half as it outscored City High 18-4 in the third quarter. Ramsey had 10 and Casey five as the Bolts held a commanding 56-38 lead after three.

After trading home floor wins with the Little Hawks in the regular season, the Lighting were happy to have the home court advantage Tuesday night.

“We worked really hard to get that one seed and get the two home courts — that definitely helped us,” Casey said. “Both student sections were great, the crowd was great, and I think it was even cooler to play a rival to go to state.”

Now, the Lightning have their sights set on Wells Fargo Arena. They will play unbeaten and top-ranked Johnston (23-0) in Monday’s quarterfinals in Des Moines.

“I think we just have to try to put our foot on the gas and go with it,” Brandt said. “We know there’s no easy game from here on out, so we’re going to go try to make some noise and see what we can do in Des Moines.

“I think the confidence we’re playing with right now has been really special.”

“I can’t wait,” Ramsey said. “We’re not done yet.”

Iowa City Liberty 72, Iowa City High 55

At North Liberty

IOWA CITY HIGH (55): August Palmer 7-23 3-4 21, Hattie Galloway 2-4 1-1 5, Kaitlin Loria 7-9 3-6 17, Emmy McComas 0-5 2-2 2, Tessa Driscoll 2-5 1-2 7, Maybes Miller 1-2 0-0 3.

IOWA CITY LIBERTY (72): Ava Casey 3-8 0-0 8, Janessa Mosley 2-4 0-0 4, Madilyn Meyer 1-1 0-0 3, Natalie Ramsey 13-15 7-8 40, Madeline Casey 8-15 0-0 17.

Iowa City High 19 15 4 17 — 55

Iowa City Liberty 16 22 18 16 — 72