Liberty hoops team keeps hope alive with new coach
Last season, the Liberty Lancers fell short in their bid for a berth at the state B basketball tournament.
During the summer, head coach Ryan Fitzgerald became the head coach at Cheney High School, and now assistant Duke Hammond assumes control of the Lancer program.
“It’s one of our themes for this year – team chemistry – because I felt over the last couple of years that’s been an issue for us,” said Hammond, who takes over the reins of the varsity program after serving the Past two seasons as head coach of the junior varsity.
“We’ve got 4 C’s: chemistry, character, courage and commitment. If we have good chemistry, I think we have a good chance to be a pretty successful basketball team in the Bi-County League this season.”
Hammond will welcome back a trio of players who have started for the Lancers since their sophomore seasons, led by leading returning scorer, 6-foot-2, 225-pound Aaron Weis, who returns in the post.
“He’s a fairly tall, thick, athletic player for us,” said Hammond. “He’s a load around the basket but has the ability to step out and make the perimeter shot as well.”
Forward T.J. Heiydt comes back after suffering back injuries last season, while Andrew Canning returns in the backcourt but is moving to a new spot on the floor.
“The last couple of years, I’ve been playing point guard,” said Canning. “This year I actually got moved, so I’m going to be the shooting guard a little bit.”
“He’s excellent,” Hammond said of his 6-foot-2 guard. “That athleticism that he has – he’s probably our tallest kid along with Aaron, but he’ll play on the perimeter.
“He’s quick, too, and can guard smaller, quicker players. He can also use his height to his advantage and go down low and post up in offensive situations, giving us an advantage.”
The familiarity between their new head coach and the returning group of Lancers has Canning and his teammates excited for the new season.
“We all knew Coach Hammond throughout high school, and he’s a pretty cool guy,” Canning said. “He’s a modest guy. He’s kind of old-fashioned. That’s why I like him.
“He’s old school. That’s what I like to call him. He reminds me a lot of Pete Carroll of USC.”
The Lancers are hoping to win like Carroll’s Trojans this season. It will be a tough task for the Lancers, however, as Reardan and Lind-Ritzville will also challenge defending state and league champion Northwest Christian.
“I’d like to think we’ll be in there, too,” Hammond said.