Chiarra Franklin attempts to block a shot in the second half. Franklin hit the winning shot to send the Blue Jays to the title game.
What a way to end the Class 5 semifinals. The most exciting game of the night came down to a missed free throw and offensive putback as the Liberty Blue Jays edged the Parkway North Vikings 55-54 in the second girls semifinal at Mizzou Arena on Friday night.
Liberty let an 11-point lead with three minutes left in the third slip away as Parkway North went on a 15-1 run to grab the lead. Liberty was down 51-48 when Morgan Flemming hit a three-pointer to tie the game with 1:54 left. Flemming led the Blue Jays with 20 points.
Maya Johnson’s three point play put Parkway North up 54-52 with 33 second left. After a timeout, Flemming was fouled with 3.8 left. She made the first, but missed on her second free throw attempt. The rebound was grabbed by senior Chiarra Franklin who banked home the game winner just before the buzzer.
Watch the winner
Earlier in the first half, Franklin left the game after colliding with a Parkway North player. Her left ankle was injured, but she returned and came up with the clincher in a thrilling finish. She plans to play, no matter how bad the pain is, in the final against Rock Bridge.
Liberty beat Rock Bridge on January 22 by a score of 47-43.
Parkway North plays for third place. They were led by Alecia Sutton’s 14 points. Mya Johnson finished with 13.