The Liberty girls basketball team came up short against Middletown for the Class 2A West region title, 61-54.
Middletown advances to the state tournament and will play on Thursday at UMBC.
The Lions ended the season at 18-5, while the Knights are 20-5.
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There were many red eyes on the Lion players after the game, as the tears flowed.
"They gave it everything they had. They played well, it was a good game. Middletown did a great job. I keep telling them, keep your heads up. They had a great season and there is nothing to be ashamed of there," Lion coach Jessica Morgan.
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The game came down to the final eight minutes of play as the game was tied 42 all after three periods of play.
The two teams exchanged baskets, before Liberty scored six points to go up 50-44. Middletown fought back to tie the score at 50 with 3:27 left in the game. Liberty only scored two baskets the rest of the contest.
The Knights collected four foul shots to go along with a three-pointer and two field goals for the victory.
Middletown had led 30-21 at halftime, but the Lions came back to knot the score before the final period.
Middletown scored seven three-pointers in the game. Liberty only scored two, one by Beka Coughlin and another by Georgia Karr.
Liberty had three players in double figures, led by Kelly McCormick with 12, while Hailey Marlatt had 13 and Coughlin added 10. Also scoring for the Lions was Maggie McCormick with eight and Karr with three.