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OP hammers shorthanded Eagles
That bottle of magic potion that Liberty cracked open in a stunning come-from-behind win over Battlefield on Thursday? It might be time for a refill.
Playing without starting center Stefawn Ross, out with a lingering ankle injury, the Liberty boys basketball team fell hard to Osbourn Park on Friday night, 81-46. The loss eliminated LHS from the three-team playoff to determine the Cedar Run District regular season champion. OP and Culpeper will play for that honor on Saturday night at Stonewall Jackson.
Liberty finishes the regular season 17-6 and will open district playoffs at home against Battlefield on Monday.
"We had a great regular season," Liberty coach Pat Frazer said. "But when you don't lose very often, the losses are tougher."
Ross injured his ankle a week ago in the Eagles' win over Fauquier. He played last night against Battlefield, but struggled, and did not even warm up on Friday evening. With Ross in a shirt and tie at the end of Liberty's bench, OP repeatedly pounded the ball into the paint. The Yellow Jackets hammered Liberty on the glass - grabbing 15 offensive rebounds - and scored numerous buckets down low.
"We were going to go inside regardless," OP coach Bob Lake said.
Liberty stayed close early, trailing 17-14 after the first quarter and 36-27 at halftime. But OP pulled away after the break, stretching the advantage to 53-41 at the third quarter's close.
The Yellow Jackes then outscored Liberty 28-5 in the fourth quarter as a rowdy group of nine OP students teased and taunted a stunned LHS contingent.LHS will be the third seed in the Cedar Run tournament. Despite tying for the regular season crown, Liberty will have to win at least two district playoff games to reach regionals.
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