NORTHWEST REGIONAL (CLASS 5A): Livingston’s late bucket sinks West Point in loss to Arab
Published 5:03 pm Thursday, February 13, 2025
Lily Livingston’s putback with 3.3 seconds remaining lifted Arab to a 51-50 victory over West Point on Thursday.
The Warriors led by five points with 1:25 left following a Kealie Harbison bucket, but Arab quickly answered with a 3-pointer on the ensuing possession and then took advantage of a missed basket and three missed free throws in the final minute to shock the Maroon and White and advance to the Elite Eight.
West Point trailed by as many as 13 points in the first half, but a 6-0 spurt made it a 31-28 score at intermission.
It was a back-and-forth affair from there, with the Warriors securing a one-point lead early in the fourth quarter.
Unfortunately for the Maroon and White, its journey ends one win shy of the Elite Eight.
The Warriors, who finished 23-6, return numerous contributors next season and will no doubt be motivated for a return to the Northwest Regional Tournament.
Coach Speak
“Just not finishing at the end. We got down early, battled — battled all game. We got up five and then came down and lost someone in transition (on the 3-pointer). And you’ve got to make foul shots at the end. I’ve preached it all year long. I preach it every game — foul shots win or lose games. Kids don’t realize it. When you’re practicing and they’re shooting, they’re talking about somebody’s Instagram or somebody’s Snapchat. They don’t focus on foul shots. I preach it, preach it, preach it. Foul shots win or lose games. That lost the game for us.” — John Welborn
“I knew it was going to be a battle. They’re really physical. We would try to box out and we would get shoved under the basket. At halftime, we told them you can’t give them second chances. That last timeout we told them, ‘Girls, they get one shot.’ But we don’t box out and they get a second-shot putback. I’m proud of the way we fought, though.” — John Welborn
Key Stat
Arab went 19 of 26 from the free-throw line, while West Point was just 5 of 11.
Top Scorers
Jaelyn Faulkner (22), Laklin Shadix (12 + 13 rebounds), Caitlee Simmons (7), Kealie Harbison (7)
