It turned out to be an exciting start to the 2023-24 season with the matchup between the Valley Center Hornets Girls Basketball Team and the Liberal Redskins. Fans were treated to an exhilarating contest that showcased the resilience and skill of both teams. The game, which had its fair share of twists and turns, ultimately concluded in a dramatic fashion with Valley Center securing a 34-33 last-second victory.

The Hornets faced adversity early in the first quarter, falling behind by as many as 9 points. However, they staged a remarkable comeback behind some good defense and some easy baskets in transition, securing a halftime lead by 2 points. This turnaround set the stage for a fiercely contested second half, with both teams battling for control of the game.

The contest continued to ebb and flow in the 2nd half, with neither team able to establish a decisive advantage. In the closing moments, and the Hornets down by 1, Morgan Thatcher delivered in the clutch by sinking a 15-foot jump shot with just 1 second remaining on the clock.

"I was really proud of our resilience. Their ball pressure really made it difficult for us to execute on the offensive end. Ultimately, it took a player making a play," stated Hornet's Head Coach Trent Preheim. "It wasn't an accident. Morgan has put hours in the gym preparing for just this situation and it was nice to see the work she put in be rewarded with a great moment."

However, it took a team effort to secure the win. Along with many who contributed defensively, Valley Center's leading scorers proved to be instrumental in the win. Anna Duncan led the charge with an impressive 10 points, demonstrating her ability to run the floor in transition. Taylor McDonald contributed significantly with 9 points, most importantly hitting 5 of 6 from the free throws line. Morgan Thatcher chipped in with 8 points with none bigger than the game winning shot to steal the victory.

The Hornets return to action against Andale on Friday night at Valley Center at 6:00 pm.