The Liberty Christian girls basketball team entered the MAC conference tournament with one mission: shock everyone. 

The Eagles did just that after defeating Eagle Ridge 28-13 on Feb. 8, after having lost to them 40-19 in January, to secure the third-place conference trophy. 

The Eagles were missing a couple players during their first matchup, but the victory still feels just as good. 

“I think we showed up a little bit better than people expected. Our girls were just great and played phenomenal,” Head Coach Kim Meyer said. 

Liberty Christian led at the end of each quarter (5-1, 14-3, 20-9). Lauren Moss led the team in points with 16, while Bristol Barron recorded six. 

The Eagles came into the tournament as the fourth seed but were able to surprise a few opponents. 

Meyer touted the defense’s growth throughout the season as a key difference-maker in their second matchup against Eagle Ridge. 

“Our defense has leveled up like leaps and bounds. We’ve gotten more secure and comfortable,” Meyer said. “Raelee Bruno, she’s a very silent, dominant defender. She does a lot of things that she doesn’t get stats for and makes [opponents] make mistakes.” 

Bruno noted after losing to Westwood in the semifinals 34-24 on Feb. 6, she knew they did not play to their potential on the defensive end. 

So coming into this game, the Eagles wanted to make sure they were constantly on their toes and moving– which eventually allowed them to limit Eagle Ridge to only 13 points. 

Senior Allie Brazier, a key player on the defense, who is a first-year basketball player, added her dad’s encouragement has allowed her to step up. 

“I just always have my dad in the back of my head saying, ‘Go get the ball, go be aggressive,” Brazier said. 

As a first-year player, Brazier noted it was scary playing at first but after getting over the mental aspect, she feels more comfortable on the court. Meyer also added the senior has made major strides throughout the season. 

Meyer added the teamwork and ability to trust in one another has led to their successful conference tournament performance. The Eagles won two out of their three games. 

“Lauren [Moss] just shines everywhere she goes. Trina [Scheltens] was out for a month, and she showed up really big and does so much underneath the basket, and Allie Brazier, just phenomenal,” Meyer said. “The girls coming off the bench, like Mallory Boenker coming in, they’ve done well and they’re growing well together.” 

With the Missouri Christian School Athletic Association tournament creeping up soon, both Brazier and Bruno feel confident and excited. Bruno noted that remaining focused will be the key to seeing some success in Joplin in the state tournament on Feb. 13-15. 

“I feel a lot better than I did a month ago because our defense is so strong right now,” Meyer added. “If they keep their heads and keep that intensity, then they’ll stay in those games.”