Big shots over social spotlight, Libby Stump delivers one final time for Class 1A title-winning Lynden Christian

YAKIMA - There is no rah-rah Libby Stump socially promoting her basketball potential or profitability.

It gives way to work-work Libby Stump.

But every now and then, even silent assassins come out of the shadows to bask in a defining moment.

From fast start to hectic finish, Stump was brilliant Saturday night in the biggest game of her career.

She not only scored a career-high 35 points on 12-of-21 shooting, her nifty last-second baseline jump shot over two defenders won Lynden Christian another Class 1A state championship, this time by thrilling 57-56 overtime victory over Northwest Conference rival Nooksack Valley in the SunDome.

The game-winning shot was also set up by Stump's three-point play that tied the game at 49-49 with 12 seconds remaining.

"I am so happy for her, because she wanted it so bad," Lynden Christian girls coach Brady Bomber said, "I am just so thankful she got to have this moment."

The Lyncs needed every bit of her magic.

They appeared on the verge of being run over when Stump picked up her fourth foul at the 1:37 mark of the third quarter, and the Pioneers up, 36-31.

At the time, she was the team's only source of offense. And she sat on the bench.

Enter ninth grader Grace Hintz, who came alive at the right time. The guard scored nine consecutive points for Lynden Christian, and 11 of the team's 13 well into the fourth quarter to keep the defending 1A champions hanging around.

"She played her butt off today," Stump said.

But after Devin Coppinger's free throw extended Nooksack Valley's lead to 49-46 with 27 seconds to go, the Lyncs got the ball in Stump's hands, and she charged up the left baseline, pulled up, drew contact and made the field goal - and made the free throw as well.

"Tonight was my night, I guess," Stump said,

Lainey Kimball gave the Pioneers their final lead, 56-55, with 19 seconds to go.

Bomber called timeout - and Stump did her thing again, winning it with seven seconds remaining.

"It was an incredible shot (with) three people on her," Nooksack Valley girls coach Shane Wichers said. "She is a great player. We knew it was going to her.

"Great players make great plays.