For a coach whose programs have won six state titles and produced Division I prospects, Butch Clark is dishing out some pretty significant compliments.The Liberty Christian veteran leader is finding …
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For a coach whose programs have won six state titles and produced Division I prospects, Butch Clark is dishing out some pretty significant compliments.The Liberty Christian veteran leader is finding little to complain about recently, as the Eagles are playing some of their best basketball in Clark’s 16-year tenure.“This is probably the best overall team that we’ve had,” said Clark, following an 88-26 win over Thomas Jefferson on Saturday.“What I like is that the kids are playing with a lot of energy,” added Clark. “We’re being aggressive and not making a lot of mistakes.”It’s a sign that a team which began the season 2-3 has long since found its identity. The Eagles are now 18-4.“The guys are really buying into the team concept,” said Clark. “It all starts with Tanner (Meyer). He’s doing a great job getting the ball up the court and finding his teammates.”The Eagles’ starting point guard led Liberty Christian with 20 points on Saturday, as all 10 players scored at least one field goal. Meyer also had nine assists and seven steals.Liberty Christian offset a 4-4 tie with 19 unanswered points to bury the visiting Titans in a hurry. The run was sparked by a Jake Pietzman three-pointer, and Thomas Jefferson would not score again until the final seconds of the first quarter.Clark was concerned about how his team would respond following an up tempo victory the night before that demanded a lot from the Eagles.“I thought the kids played a good game,” said Clark. “It’s tough to come back in less than 24 hours from a game where you expended a ton of energy. When you’re emotionally up, sometimes you come out a little flat.”Such was not the case for Liberty Christian, which shot 58 percent from the field, including eight of 20 from beyond the arc.The Eagles led 23-6 after one quarter and were up 47-12 by halftime.In what has become its M.O. this season, Liberty Christian pressured the Titans in the fullcourt and used traps to generate steals. Clark says that’s the approach the Eagles will take, regardless of the score of the game, as he looks to fluster the opposition out of its gameplan.“We’re pretty committed to that,” said Clark. “We’re going to push the ball and pressure, whether we’re up 20 or down 20. I think the most aggressive team is going to win most nights.”By the end of three quarters Liberty Christian was ahead 70-14.The starters would retreat to the bench soon after, as everyone on the team got at least one look at the basket.“We’ve been getting a lot of guys in,” said Clark. “We’ve got some younger kids who can play.”Sophomore Jake Pietzman added 19 points, while senior Calvin Edwards netted 12.Sophomore Kameron Bagby has been an increasing force on the glass, pulling down 12 rebounds in the latest win.EAGLES CONTINUE TO ROLLDerrick Forsythe photo.