Liberty celebrates homecoming with wins

Matthew McClenney gets above Carson King late in the fourth to increase the Patriots' lead by four. (T-G Photo by Jasen Richardson) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

The heat was on high and the burners were smoking. The tension could be cut with a knife as Liberty Middle inched their way to a 46-42 win over Riverside Christian Academy in homecoming action Monday night.

With 1:17 left to go in the bout, the Patriots gained the lead from a Bird Nelson bucket. 30 seconds later, Matthew McClenney sunk a basket to keep the pace. The Knights (4-4) came back within two points, but the deal was sealed for Liberty with 9 seconds left in the final stanza, from two successful shots by Nelson at the charity stripe.

"They dug down deep," coach Andy Lawson said. "I've got a resilient bunch of kids. I'm proud of them, they got heart. They were patient when they needed to be and pushed it. They showed some maturity tonight."

The Patriots went into the second half with a minuscule 22-21 lead, but made the rebounds count in the third and fourth stanzas. This allowed the offense to find some breathing room, and made way for the feat.

Josh Nave piloted the Patriots with 17 points. Matthew McClenney knocked down 12 tallies and Bird Nelson shared in the double digit experience with 11.

Corey Albert set the tempo for Riverside Christian with 20 points.

"We've got to defend the 3-point shot and watch the back door when we play Cascade next," Lawson said. "They are an intelligent group of boys and shoot very well."

Kimme Bayne (23) and Matti Mitchell (12) battle a swarm of Lady Knights for the rebound. (T-G Photo by Jasen Richardson) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Liberty 42, RCA 9 (G): The Lady Patriots demolished their adversary and held possession of the rock like it had no intention of going anywhere but in Liberty's bucket. The full court press was set in play from the first minutes of the ballgame and flustered Riverside Christian.

The last points that the Lady Knights (1-9) put on the board were with 3:18 left in the second quarter. At that point the Lady Patriots were already up 16-9 and they just kept on grooving with that rhythm.

"We've been working on that recently," Lawson said of the full court press. "They've been working really hard in practice and they've been listening. They did a good job of implementing that: cutting off the sideline and swarming to the ball."

Hannah Calvert led the squad with nine points.

Katie Jo Brady paced the Knights with seven tallies.

Liberty hosts county rival Cascade Monday night at 6.

"It's gonna be fun," Lawson said. "Cascade is a tough bunch. Our young bunch is getting better and better. If they play their hearts out on defense like they did tonight, hopefully we can give (Cascade) a good game."