Having watched the same opponent stand in its way of hoisting the state title the past two years, the Liberty Christian girls basketball team is determined to change those outcomes. Following back-to-back runner-up finishes against Blue Ridge Christian, the Eagles return their entire roster and are poised for a return to the top.

“I have big expectations for them, and I think they all have high expectations for themselves,” said Coach Butch Clark. “I think we’ll have a really great year.

Liberty Christian is off to a 2-1 start, having intensified its schedule to be better prepared for the postseason. Among the first trio of games was a 61-50 setback against MSHSAA school Clopton, whom the Eagles bested during the final three quarters.

“They’re not afraid to play bigger competition, and I think we’re looking forward to that challenge,” added Clark.

Returning as a statistical leader is junior Andrea Mueller, who has begun the season averaging 18.7 points and six rebounds per game after shifting positions.

“We decided to move her to the perimeter,” said Clark. “I think she’s got a lot better shot this year. The first few games she’s looked good out there at shooting guard.”

Creating a presence in the paint is junior Adison Roden, putting up 17.3 points and six rebounds per outing. 

“She has looked real strong inside,” said Clark. “She’s done a good job in practice as a leader and is stepping up in competition.”

Other positions are not as secure for the Eagles, who have a lot of depth when it comes to competing for playing time.

“We’ve got 12 girls, and I anticipate playing quite a few of them,” said Clark. “I think we have a lot of kids who can give us minutes this year.”

Among the competition is at the guard spot, where sophomore Alli Meyer has taken on the role of starting point guard.

Freshman Sophie Mueller is also handling guard duties, while sophomore Kylee Ball will serve at the shooting guard position as well.

“We’re still competing a little bit more at the guard spot, but I think some things are starting to settle,” said Clark.

The Eagles will look to junior Gracie Foran in the paint, where she has averaged nine points and six rebounds thus far.

Liberty Christian plans to employ a Packline defense used by the University of Virginia.

“We started that last year, and I thought we played really well down the stretch,” said Clark. “It should hopefully protect the paint and keep our big kids out of foul trouble and keep teams shooting from the perimeter.”

As has often been the case with the Eagles, they will look to force the pace and speed up opponents.

“I think we have the potential run and get up and down the court,” said Clark. “We’re going to try to play good hard half court defense and push the tempo. I think our outside shooting will be good. We have three legitimate outside threats. I think we’ve got about six kids who can knock down outside shots on the perimeter.”

Among the MSHSAA schools on the Eagles’ schedule are Senath-Hornersville, Wellsville and Wright City.

“I wanted to get as many great opponents as we could, even if that meant taking losses,” said Clark. “Last year we didn’t get tested a lot in our season. We were undefeated in conference and only had competition against one opponent.”