BREAKING: Liberty High School’s senior guard Dante Vigil delivered a jaw-dropping buzzer-beater, leading the No. 11 ranked team to a thrilling 70-69 victory over Weston Ranch. The game ended just moments ago at Liberty’s gym in Brentwood, and the atmosphere erupted as Vigil completed a remarkable fourth-quarter comeback.
Liberty entered the final period facing a daunting 10-point deficit with only five minutes left on the clock. However, Vigil, who scored an impressive 32 points, ignited the Lions’ rally, erasing a 15-point deficit earlier in the game. “I knew I had to go get a bucket,” Vigil stated after the game. “I just thanked God that I made it.”
The Lions struggled early in the contest, turning the ball over frequently and allowing Weston Ranch to dominate. Liberty coach Rich Morton expressed his initial doubts, admitting, “I was thinking that it was not our night.” But Vigil’s determination turned the tide.
Weston Ranch opened with a swift 11-0 run, leaving Liberty scrambling to respond. The Lions managed to take a slim lead into halftime, but a devastating 19-6 run by the Cougars gave them a commanding advantage. With just minutes remaining, Weston Ranch appeared poised to secure the win.
In a last-ditch effort, Vigil led Liberty’s charge, scoring the Lions’ final ten points. After a crucial defensive stop against Weston Ranch, Liberty seized the opportunity with 20 seconds left. Despite a missed three-pointer by Vigil, senior forward Brendan Beresford tipped the rebound back to him, keeping the play alive. Vigil then executed a layup that sealed the victory.
“This was just about rolling the dice with him and seeing what he can do,” Morton remarked, praising Vigil’s performance. “Tonight was his night.”
With this victory, Liberty improves to 14-2 this season, maintaining a strong position in the Bay Valley Athletic League, where they have claimed the last four titles. Vigil, who has faced challenges this season, expressed hope that this game would boost his confidence moving forward.
In other high school basketball action, St. Mary’s defeated Bethel 64-56, led by CJ Baltrip and Donovan Mikel, who combined for 38 points. Meanwhile, in girls basketball, No. 13 Acalanes dominated Berean Christian with a staggering 68-13 victory.
Stay tuned for more updates as high school basketball season intensifies, and remember, thrilling moments like Vigil’s buzzer-beater are what make sports unforgettable.
