Liberty girls basketball continues climb toward contention in 2nd season under Brittany Mayclin

Here’s our look at the Liberty Lions girls of the 6A Desert Valley.

Over the next few weeks, SBLive Arizona will break down every 6A boys and girls basketball team in the state entering the 2020-21 season. Here’s our look at the Liberty Lions girls of the 6A Desert Valley.

LIBERTY TEAM PAGE

HEAD COACH

Brittany Mayclin, second season (1-22)

2019-20 AT A GLANCE

Overall record: 1-22

Region record: 0-10 (sixth place in Desert Valley)

Playoffs: None

ALL-REGION PLAYERS DEPARTED

G Kylie Krebs, second team

G Kaitlyn Lockhorn, honorable mention

PLAYERS TO WATCH

G Samantha Campbell, jr., 5-10

Campbell is the top returning scorer for the Lions. She averaged 3.5 points and 1.9 rebounds per game last season.

P Maycee Hilt, jr., 5-10

Hilt missed about two weeks late in her sophomore season but averaged 2.5 points and 4.1 rebounds per game. She will provide an inside presence for Liberty.

G Lisha Pinalto, jr., 5-5

Pinalto missed a month of last season. She was a role player off the bench as a sophomore (1.2 points, 1.6 rebounds per game), but she’ll vie for the starting point guard job this winter.

OUTLOOK

It was only six seasons ago that the Lions made a second state semifinal appearance in a three-year span, but it’s been a steady decline since, hitting rock bottom last winter when they went 1-22 in Mayclin’s debut season.

She hopes to start the climb back into contention building upon her nucleus of Pinalto, Campbell and Hill, who have the most varsity experience among returning players.

“They will set the tone for our play on each end of the court,” Mayclin said. “They are doing a good job of helping build our foundation for this season and our program’s future.”

The Lions list only one senior (guard Kelsi Reid) among their top eight coming back. They have four players moving up from JV to take on full-time varsity roles; they’re searching for someone who can help them improve upon their 31.5 points per game average from a season ago.

COACH SAID 

“This season, we will be very young, but with youth and inexperience come many other players who can — and we hope — will bring a lot of energy to our team and play. Their willingness to learn and give their all will help change our dynamic, which is very exciting.” — Brittany Mayclin

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