Liberty Shocks Chief Leschi Darrington Does Same To Panthers

Liberty might want to keep that new offense it installed recently. The Lancers call the offense “Shooter,” and the basic notion is to set screens to free up sophomore guard Ben Holling.

“Shooter” produced a shooter on Wednesday. Holling scored 29 points, 15 more than his season best, and Liberty knocked out defending State B champion Chief Leschi 70-58 to open the tournament at the Arena.

The opening night was no time for tourney favorites. Valley Christian, runnerup to Leschi last year, never led in the day’s final game, a 70-58 loss to Darrington. Darrington placed fourth at last week’s Tri-District tournament, but the Loggers didn’t back down to District 7 champion Valley Christian.

“I don’t listen to stuff like that,” Darrington center John Fromong said of tourney hype after burning Valley Christian for 30 points. “I just go out and play.” Fromong hit 12 of 15 from the floor and added a game-high 10 rebounds. Valley Christian thundered Darrington 70-43 to open last year’s tourney. Liberty’s Holling averaged less than seven points per game this season and rarely started as the Lancers slogged to a fourth-place tie in the Bi-County League. But Liberty coach David Baird recently studied his team’s shooting percentages and noted that Holling was hitting 48 percent on 3-pointers and 75 percent on free throws.

“I kind of came to the conclusion that it was bad coaching not getting him the ball enough.” Baird said. Holling finished 9 of 16 from the field and 5 of 10 on 3-pointers. Liberty took a 44-39 lead in the third quarter after a 12-0 run B boys/ that began and ended with a Holling 3-pointer.

“Midway through the third quarter, when I hit a couple, I just knew it was my night to be on fire,” Holling said.

Baird called Holling the school’s best pure shooter since Eric Cantlon of the 1986 state championship team.

If Liberty wants one last state title, the next hurdle is tonight’s 6:30 quarterfinal with Waterville. Liberty and Leschi are both moving to the Class 1A ranks next year.

Leschi’s bid to remain in the winner’s bracket appeared secure late in the first half. Senior Tony Andrisek hit a 3-pointer and followed with a basket for a 33-22 Warriors lead 48 seconds before halftime.

But a technical foul on Warriors point guard Isaac Richardson right before halftime changed the tone of the game. Holling hit both technical shots and trimmed Leshi’s halftime lead to seven.

Leschi coach Michael Bradley said his team began its season-long habit of not communicating on the floor.

“About halfway through the third quarter the kids started getting frustrated with each other,” Bradley said. “That’s what has haunted us all season.”

Liberty built its lead to 12 points with two more Holling 3-pointers in the fourth quarter. Leschi never came closer than eight points after that.

Lancers senior post Matt Horlacher had 16 rebounds to maintain an even balance between the teams.

“It feels pretty good to know we can do it if that’s one of the better teams in the state,” Horlacher said.

“I know that’s an excellent rebounding team and we held our own with them,” Baird said.