Coach Doesn't Let Birth Get In The Way Of Leading Team To State

LIPAN (CBSDFW.COM) - Coach Amber Branson knows what it takes to play in the basketball-crazy City of Lipan, a small town of 435 people west of Weatherford.

"Hard work and determination," Branson said during a girls basketball practice in Lipan's gymnasium.

Branson used to play when she grew up in Lipan. But Saturday, she was coaching the Lipan team playing in a tournament in Abilene to get into the state finals. But they were trailing late in the big game. In game video, you can see Branson clapping, pointing and pacing the sideline trying to spur on the team.

"When we got down 15 I thought we could still be doing better," Branson said. "And so I just kept trying to encourage them."

How much did Branson want to win that play-off game? Well between a game Friday night and the big game Saturday, Branson went into labor in her Abilene hotel room.

"And as I was laying there I started feeling contractions," Branson said. "And from about 8 until she was born it was pretty crazy. And pretty painful."

Branson had a little girl a little after 10 p.m. Friday. By 2 p.m. Saturday, she was back on the court.

"I didn't do anything that didn't feel like I was supposed to be doing," Branson said. "And I just wanted to be with the girls. During the game I was fine as long as I was standing. I think emotion and adrenaline and everything else kept me going."

Branson's team went on a 21-2 scoring tear to win the game in the final five minutes. Now Branson and newborn Leslie Telese are going to the state championship.

"I don't think its anything special," Branson said. "I mean, obviously some do because y'all are here. But its just part of my job and I was just happy to be a part of it."

EDITOR'S NOTE: In a previous version of this story "Abilene" was misspelled. It has since been corrected.