West Liberty’s historic run comes to a heartbreaking end
Hilltoppers lose to former coach and Nova Southeastern in National Championship
Evansville, Indiana (WTRF) – It wasn’t the happy ending West Liberty fans were hoping for, but the Hilltoppers didn’t go without a fight.
The Nova Southeastern Sharks attacked the floor with competitive play and continued to lead the Hilltoppers throughout the matchup.
Coach Ben Howlett is proud of what his team has come so far and said he will use this feeling as a driving force for next season.
You know we’re made for a comeback. We never quit and had some really silly plays throughout the game. It’s frustrating because I don’t usually play, but I lost in the national tournament. I’m happy to be here because a lot of teams would die here. I am not happy that we lost the game.
West Liberty head coach Ben Howlett
Playing with these guys in the championship game against the school I worked for and coached for nearly 30 years is storybook season and the end of storybook.They got me started… I’m proud of him and I’m proud of my coaching staff, coach Huffman and coach Lamberti. I’ve been with them for a long time and I’m proud of what they’ve done with his West Liberty. When I left there, I always felt that the program was doing really well.
Jim Crutchfield, Nova Southeastern Head Coach
Hilltoppers certainly made history.
West Liberty knocked down the most three-pointers ever in the title game and was the highest-scoring Division 2 National Championship to date.
https://www.wtrf.com/sports/west-liberty-falls-in-national-championship-to-former-coach-and-nova-southeastern/ West Liberty’s historic run comes to a heartbreaking end
