DON’T SLEEP ON THE LEOPARDS

Liberty and Brookfield have become unlikely rivals over the last few years so a difference in records meant nothing going into their December matchup this past Tuesday night. Brookfield came in (4-1) after running the table against an easy slate of games to begin the year. Liberty on the other hand were (1-5) after being handed one of the most difficult schedules of the season.

Brookfield got the night started out well as they went on a little run to create some separation from the Leopards, but before they could blink the Leopards turned on the jets and created a handful of turnovers to take the lead 16-12 after the first quarter.

However, it was the Warriors who would take control going into the glad as Matteo Fortuna, Xzavier Witherow, and Donovan Pawlowski combined for 24-points in the first half to take a 30-29 lead into the halftime break. The Leopards were playing well as Evan Bates and Silas Robinson had a combined 19-points in the first half, but the rest of the team was struggling to find a rhythm.

Tempers would heat up out of the break as both of these teams were trying everything they could to pull away from their opponent, but neither could do it. As a result, these two teams got into a physical back and forth brawl that led to them exchanging the lead more than six times in the third quarter. Liberty would take the lead into the final quarter 48-44 over the Warriors.

The final quarter was closer than the final score would lead one to believe as the game ended with Liberty at the free throw line to stretch what was a five-point lead into an eleven-point victory. Brookfield had phenomenal efforts from Fortuna and Pawlowski who combined for 45-points in total Tuesday night.

Liberty’s upset of Brookfield was just their second win of the season as they totaled a season high 73-points behind a 27-point game from Evan Bates who took home player of the game honors. Liberty is back in action on Wednesday night as they travel back to Youngstown to visit East High School. Brookfield will look to get back to their winning ways on the road against Maplewood on Thursday.

*Contributed By YSN’s Alek Koberna