Entering the Missouri Christian Schools Athletic Association Tournament in Joplin last week, the Liberty Christian basketball team had hopes of defending its state title from a year ago.
But those …
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Entering the Missouri Christian Schools Athletic Association Tournament in Joplin last week, the Liberty Christian basketball team had hopes of defending its state title from a year ago.
But those aspirations faded on day one, in the fourth quarter of the first-round matchup against Blue Ridge Christian last Thursday. The Eagles surrendered a double-digit lead, falling into the consolation bracket, where they dominated the remainder of the way, ultimately bringing home fifth-place.
“I feel like we definitely could have won the first game for sure, but I feel like we’re on good terms, because all the seniors had a blast this whole year and it showed them there’s more to winning in basketball,” said Coach Tanner Meyer, who led the Eagles to a 23-10 record during his first year at the helm.
Junior Josh Dames was named first-team all state, while senior Dakota Ball was selected to the second team. Dames finished the tournament with 53 points and 22 rebounds, including 23 against Blue Ridge.
The day-one disappointment in Joplin may have eliminated them from the title race, but it didn’t prevent the perennial powers from finishing out the weekend strong.
Meyer says one complacent quarter allowed Blue Ridge to fight back and take down the Eagles.
“I called a timeout and urged them to wakeup and not let off the pedal,” said Meyer. “Josh had been dominating them, and then they went into zone. He got blocked and then started fading away and missing shots. When get the ball into him and he’d kick it back out.”
Meyer says his team began playing timid in the final minutes after more aggressive contact from the opponent.
Following the defeat to Blue Ridge Christian, the Eagles routed Daniel Academy 57-24 and dismantled Westwood Christian 52-48 in the consolation final.
“Daniel Academy was a new opponent for us and probably one of the weakest teams we played all season,” said Meyer. “It was an opportunity for us to get everyone playing time and allow the seniors to do what they wanted.”
The win over Westwood was similar in that the Eagles were able to control the game throughout, although it became competitive at the end of with the substitution of bench players.
“You could tell they were eager to get back to winning and finish the season strong,” said Meyer. “Since the tournament ended I’ve already had several guys message me about getting in the gym.”
