In the championship game of the Savannah Tournament on December 3, the Eagles basketball team was up against a very tough competitor: The Platte County Pirates. As usual in the athletic world, the Eagles were the underdogs; the team proved that Liberty North Athletics is finished falling short in big games.
The Eagles started off incredibly strong in the first quarter, not allowing the Pirates to score until two minutes were left in the first quarter. Unfortunately, Nadhir Daughtery fell to the ground with a shoulder injury shortly before the first quarter was over.
“I was mad that it happened so early in the game. I was worried that I wasn’t going to be able to get back in,” junior Nadhir Daughtery said.
Ian Sanderford came in as Daughtery’s replacement until he was able to return in the second quarter. Daughtery started out putting up shots that weren’t quite making it into the basket but he was able to make corrections and was a high-scorer in the game.
“I stopped worrying about what happened and I wanted to do everything I could to help my team win,” Daughtery said.
At the beginning of the third quarter, the Eagles were trailing the Pirates 49-44. The boys fought hard the entire quarter, controlling the defense of the game. Junior Zach Starr, sophomore Brinkley Jolly, and junior Kyle Malone were in foul trouble by the end of the quarter, making the end of the game an even harder fight.
With thirty seconds left in the game, the Eagles were trailing 63-62. The team got the ball down the court and Malone put up the shot, giving the Eagles a 64-63 lead. During the play, Malone was fouled. The Pirates received a double technical, which resulted with the Eagles having six free throws, shot by Malone.
“I felt like we needed to hit our free throws earlier in the game so I was a little nervous out on the line by myself,” Malone said.
Malone pulled through and drained five out of the six shots, clinching the game for the Eagles.
“I was so happy that I made the shots, leading my team to the big win,” Malone said.
The final score of the championship game was 69-63; the Eagles defeating the Platte County Pirates and getting the exciting win, a trophy included.