CEDAR PARK — It was a process four years in the making for Cedar Park. When Donny Ott took over the girls’ basketball program in 2017 it was with the hopes of building a championship team.

“It didn’t happen overnight, I wish I could say it did the first year we got here but it didn’t,” said Ott. “It’s just been a climb every year.”

On Wednesday night, the climb reached its peak, as Cedar Park beat Frisco Liberty 46-39 to capture the 5A state title. As the final seconds came off the clock, Ott raised his hands in triumph and was overcome with emotion.

“These kids have worked so hard for this moment,” said Ott. “For me, the emotion was the four years. I’m proud of these kids.”

The Timberwolves got contributions from many different players, including 10 points from junior Shelby Hayes. But the game MVP went to sophomore Gisella Maul, who had 15 points and made a huge layup late in the 4th quarter to seal the win.

“I’m so happy right now, we have worked so hard for this moment,” Maul said right after the game. “I really don’t know how to explain it. I’m feeling so good right now.”

Immediately after celebrating with her team, Maul ran straight for the stands to find her family.

“Me and my family have been dreaming for this moment,” said Maul. “They have put in so much time and so much effort into me.”

“Gisella’s a kid that put in a lot of work at an early age and she did it for moments like this,” said Mike Maul, Gisella’s father.

As she hugged her family, they had a surprise waiting for her. Gisella, who loves sneakers, was given a custom pair of shoes to commemorate the state championship season.