Liberty Holds Off Perry in OT to Win Second 6A Title in Three Seasons

The Liberty Lions held off a ferocious comeback from the 4-time defending state champion Perry Pumas to come away with a 69-65 win on championship Saturday.

While Perry was looking for their fifth straight title, Liberty is in the midst of trying to build a dynasty.

Liberty took notes from another dynasty as they looked like the 2017 Golden State Warriors in the first quarter.

The Lions would shoot 6-9 from deep in the first eight minutes of the game.

Among those hitting from beyond the arc was junior guard Nicholas Toposelek, who hit a pair of three-pointers. 

The star of the first quarter was Liberty sophomore forward Trevin Davis, who had two three-pointers to fall in and a total of nine points in the quarter. 

Liberty senior guard TJ Harris was also able to accumulate five points in the first quarter. 

The Lions' defense was also elite in the first eight minutes, as Perry was only able to make two field goals the entire quarter. 

The one bright spot for Perry was sophomore guard Vik Babic, who had the team's first four points. 

After the first quarter, Liberty led 23-8 over Perry. 

In the second quarter, Perry started to come alive. 

Erupting for three three-pointers in the quarter was Perry junior guard JJ Howard, who seemed as though he couldn’t miss from deep. 

Perry junior guard LJ Diamond would help Perry crawl back as well, as he got multiple baskets at the rim and hit a pair of free throws.

Liberty was still able to maintain its lead, though. 

Just like the first quarter, Toposelek hit another pair of three-pointers as well as a floater to go in. 

The trust his teammates have and the trust he has for himself is why Toposelek doesn’t fold under pressure, even under the brightest lights.

“I trust myself and my teammates trust me,” Toposelek said. “Having confidence in myself and the preparation I put in, that’s all that matters.” 

The Lions led 36-28 over the Pumas at halftime. 

Holding onto their lead in the third quarter, the Lions kept going to their freshman star.

Davis, who had 11 points in the first half, would pop off for another nine points in the third as he looked unguardable. 

Liberty head coach Mark Wood said that Davis is a special player.

“He is special, he has high character, he’s a phenomenal teammate,” Wood said. “He is okay with being uncomfortable.” 

Heading into the fourth quarter, Liberty had a double-digit lead over Perry. 

No matter what year it is, though, you can’t let up on the Pumas. 

Out of nowhere, it seemed Perry was right back into the game.

Having four three-pointers and 14 total points in the fourth was Babic, who was unguardable during the stretch. 

For Liberty, Harris would try to keep the lead on his team's side as he would have seven points of his own in the fourth that included a three-pointer from deep. 

The effort by Harris would only hold for so long as the Pumas eventually tied the game late, as Diamond and Howard got back-to-back fastbreak layups to fall in.

Perry would get one last look as they had the final possession in the fourth, but the three-point shot by Diamond would fall just inches short.

The game at Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum was headed for another four minutes. 

Closing the game out, Liberty locked in on the defensive side. 

Liberty would only allow Perry to score two points in overtime with their suffocating defense.

Then, hitting the final dagger was Davis, who hit a crucial corner three-pointer. 

Davis, who won game MVP and finished with 22 points, said he was ready for this moment.

“I’ve prepared my whole life for this game,” Davis said. “That’s what really helped my teammates and me.” 

Liberty has now won two 6A titles in three years, but they plan on keeping building off their recent success. 

“This is just the start,” Toposelek said. “Just raise the ceiling every year.”