Liberty boys find positives despite title-game loss
His team didn't win the tournament title, but Liberty boys basketball coach Pat Welby couldn't help but smile as he left the locker room Thursday.
The Patriots came up just short, losing 45-42 to Desert Vista (Ariz.) in the Platinum Division title game of the Las Vegas Prep Championship at Las Vegas High.
But for a team that entered the tournament with a 2-7 record and on a five-game losing streak, being in the game to the end was reason to celebrate.
"It's just tremendous," Welby said of the confidence boost the team got this week. "They knew what a big accomplishment it was. Last week we were still struggling, going 0-4. But this week we came in and started coming together and playing together."
The Patriots (6-8) were in it until the bitter end against Desert Vista. They had three opportunities in the final 20 seconds to tie the game or take the lead.
"We just didn't get some shots to fall," Welby said. "We got a few stops, and they missed a couple of free throws."
Senior Aaron Navitsky missed a 3-pointer with 16 seconds left that would have given Liberty a 45-42 lead.
After the Thunder's David Palty missed the front end of a one-and-one, Liberty's Randy Tomlinson was fouled. But he too missed the front end of a one-and-one, and Desert Vista had the ball again.
This time the Thunder's K.J. Hoffman made one of two free throws to push Desert Vista's lead to three, and Liberty's Jeremy Lagasca missed a long 3-pointer at the buzzer.
"We had opportunities, but they'll fall next time," Navitsky said.
Navitsky, who had 17 points and 12 rebounds, said the strong tournament run gives the team confidence as it heads back into league play next week.
"We're on fire right now," Navitsky said. "We're clicking on all cylinders, and that should help us in league play so we can get first in our league."
Navitsky is one of just four seniors on Liberty's roster, and the Patriots relied on three sophomores and a freshman to play key roles this week.
Contact prep sports editor Damon Seiters at dseiters@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4587.
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THURSDAY’S HIGHLIGHTS
BOYS
Eldorado’s Curtis Stewart scored 24 points in the Sundevils’ 70-59 victory over Bonanza for the Silver Division title in the Las Vegas Prep Championship at Las Vegas High.
Desert Pines’ Chancellor Davis hit four 3-pointers and totaled 20 points in the Jaguars’ 65-33 victory over Santee (Calif.) for the Bronze Division title in the Las Vegas Prep Championship.
Moapa Valley’s Casen Lewis hit a decisive 3-pointer with seven seconds left as the Pirates nipped Grantsville (Utah) 51-50 in the Steve Hodson Classic in Cedar City, Utah.
Tech’s Michael Johnson had 30 points in the Roadrunners’ 70-43 win over Calvary Chapel in the Vegas Invitational at Mountain View.
GIRLS
Centennial’s Ashley Klemz had eight points,• including two 3-pointers, in the final 1:40 as the Bulldogs rallied past Fairfax (Calif.) 57-56 in the Las Vegas Holiday Classic at Centennial.
Sierra Vista’s Jeannette Jackson scored 29 points in the Mountain Lions’ 59-42 victory over Buena Park (Calif.) at the Savanna Tournament in Anaheim, Calif.
