ROUNDUP: Fourth-quarter rally lifts Liberty over Canyon Springs

Kenneth Peters didn’t want to turn in his uniform just yet, so he played with the sense of urgency that Liberty coach Pat Welby hoped to instill in all the team’s seniors.

Peters scored 11 points and Milos Knezevic 10 in the fourth quarter to lead the visiting Patriots to a 59-47 win over Canyon Springs. Knezevic finished with 22 points and 13 rebounds, and Peters had 18 points and 10 rebounds.

“We kept trying to tell (the seniors) that there’s a sense of urgency here,” Welby said. “We didn’t want to collect their uniforms tomorrow, and they didn’t want to turn them in.”

Liberty plays Foothill in the Sunrise semifinals at 7:30 tonight at Liberty.

The Pioneers rallied early in the fourth quarter as Terence Stanley nailed a 3-pointer to bring Canyon Springs within five. Liberty’s Cameron Peters responded with a basket in the paint, and Kenneth Peters nailed a 3-pointer to give the Pioneers a 10-point lead.

“I knew I had to score,” Kenneth Peters said. “It was either score or go home. I didn’t want to end the season early so I just took over.”

After trailing at halftime, Canyon Springs pressed the Patriots early and was able to force turnovers. The Pioneers then went on an 11-3 run to end the third quarter.

“We stubbed our toe a couple times, but we were able to right the ship,” Welby said. “We didn’t panic, that was the biggest thing. We were able to come back and execute.”

Kenneth Peters said Liberty was prepared for the defensive change and was surprised that Canyon Springs waited until the second half to use it.

“(The press) was kind of expected, but our coaches knew what to do right away,” Kenneth Peters said. “(Canyon Springs) went on a little run, but we got together and kept the lead.”

Stanley scored 15 points and Michael Thompson added 14 for Canyon Springs.

Cameron Peters scored 13 points for Liberty. The Patriots were originally scheduled to play Eldorado in the first round of the Sunrise playoffs, but forfeits by Desert Pines and Eldorado changed the matchups.

Liberty didn’t object to the switch.

“We knew how Canyon Springs played, since we played them early in the season. We already had a game plan for them,” Kenneth Peters said. “I liked playing them instead of Eldorado.”

Eldorado 81, Coronado 51 — At Eldorado, Mitrell Clark scored 28 and had seven steals, and Charles White had 20 points and 11 rebounds as the Sundevils raced past the Cougars.

Marcus Moreland added 13 points and Ariel Bagget 11 for Eldorado, which enjoyed advantages of 23-8 after one quarter and 43-21 at halftime.

Charlie Wakefield had 18 points for Coronado.

Foothill 58, Las Vegas 44 — At Foothill, Kadeem Minor and Evan Roquemore each scored 17 points to lead the Falcons past the Wildcats.

Foothill led by only six after three quarters, but outscored Las Vegas 20-12 in the fourth.

Aamahd Franklin had 18 points and Tony Eackles 12 for Las Vegas.