Lions Claim Second Victory Of The Season

Liberty coach Steven Johnson just needs to convince his team that every game is part of a holiday tournament.

Tuesday afternoon was a big game for the Lions. They notched their second win of the season, led again at halftime and scored their most points of the season in a 71-60 win over Howard County foe Marriotts Ridge.

''We played pretty well. The first couple games we didn't play well," said Johnson. "The last four or five games we played well, we were just playing better teams, so we didn't get wins. I kept telling them if we just kept playing hard, good things will come."

Liberty downed another Howard County team, Reservoir, 56-50 on Monday night in the first game in the sixth annual Knights Holiday Hoops Classic at Century High School.

The Lions used a strong fourth quarter performance to pull away for the win. Liberty was up by two, 47-45 at the start of the final eight minutes of play. Liberty was able to stay ahead by a point or two until guard Kyle Farson hit two free throws which started an eight point run to increase the lead to 56-48. Four of the points were scored on long passes to Collin Orf for lay-ups.

Eight points was as close as the Mustangs could get, but they made it a game to start the third quarter. Marriotts Ridge was down by 10 at the half 37-27 and came out in a full-court press which gave Liberty trouble.

The Mustangs scored 13 straight points before the Lions got on the board on a three-point basket from Farson with 4:23 left in the period. The shot tied the score at 40. The score went back and forth until Farson hit two free throws with 16 seconds lef to give the Lions a lead they held the rest of the game.

''I thought the third quarter, we came out a little flat. We kind of picked it up after that. I thought we played well down the stretch,'' said Johnson.

The Lions started the game hot from the three-point line. They tossed in four three pointers in the first eight minutes. They had six for the contest.

When told the team looked good. Johnson said, ''Yeah we did, all but the free throws. We need to hit some free throws.''

Steven Seeley led the victors with 22 points. He was joined in double figures by James Fencil with 16, Orf with 13 and Simon Rudow had 10. Farson chipped in eight.

Liberty was able to hold Marriotts Ridge DJuan Tucker in check Tuesday. Tucker tossed in 27 against Century Monday, but only got eight against the Lions. The Mustangs were led by senior guard Kevin Yu with 18 points. The only other Mustang player in double figures was Freshman Robert Davis with 11. Smith hit the winning bucket Monday night against Century.

The Lions started the season 0-5 and now have won two in a row after Christmas.

''We are 2-0. So, maybe it's a year of runs,'' said Johnson.

Marriotts Ridge took the junior varsity contest 46 to 37 over Liberty. The Lions were led by Chad Barcikoski with 11.