ANDERSON — Liberty Christian created some indelible photographs throughout its 77-72 victory towards Seton Catholic in Saturday's Class 1A boys basketball match in New Citadel.
Maybe the standout second was certainly one of many breakouts by level guard Tywaine Fuller Jr., whose 14 factors had been fueled partly by six steals.
Or perhaps it was the sight of Kendrick Martin battling beneath the boards and battling via defenders to attain two of his 22 factors.
It’d even have been TJ English sneaking the ball over a defender's outstretched arm on his approach to the basket to finish the normal three-point play.
“To be trustworthy, I don't even keep in mind in all probability doing that,” English informed The Den earlier than Tuesday's apply. “It was in all probability simply one thing random on the time, it in all probability wanted to be carried out in an effort to play.”
Therein lies the center of the Lions' fantastically gifted freshman trio.
It's not about particular person moments of glory or highlights worthy of a sports activities heart. The aim is to do no matter it takes at this level to advance to the IHSAA postseason.
Liberty Christian (17-9) confronted deficits of a minimum of six factors in every of its final three video games of the season. However the lions by no means flinched.
Which will come as a shock to some, given that every one three freshmen are starters and every performs a major function. However this can be a battle-tested group taking part in effectively past their years.
Greater than three many years in the past, Michigan's “Fab 5” redefined freshman success on the main faculty degree. This spring, Liberty Christian's nice trio is making an attempt to do the identical for highschool basketball.
That was by no means extra evident than in entrance of an estimated crowd of 8,000 followers in the course of the regional match at New Citadel Fieldhouse.
On the largest stage of their highschool careers – actually and figuratively – the freshmen put collectively arguably their finest collective efficiency.
All three gamers scored in double figures — English fouled out with 13 factors late — and the trio helped construct a protection that turned an eight-point second-quarter deficit right into a game-high 12-point lead within the last stanza.
“We all know our protection goes to lock down once we want it,” Martin mentioned. “So whenever you get to that point, you get a whole lot of steals and transition buckets.
Fuller is the primary man.
When he and Martin begin to click on on the level of assault, the Lions can appear impenetrable.
It's not a coincidence.
Whereas the three freshmen are clearly taking part in collectively for the primary time on the varsity degree, they spent years taking part in collectively in highschool.
The chemistry on the courtroom is clear.
“I've been taking part in with them since I used to be little,” Fuller mentioned. “So I already know the way to play with them and stuff.
That camaraderie helped off the courtroom, too.
Final 12 months, English, Martin and Fuller had been collectively at Anderson Prep.
This 12 months they went via a brand new faculty along with new teammates and new expectations.
It helped that we had some acquainted faces to show to when the Lions got here collectively in the course of the fall and early winter.
“It took a very long time,” English mentioned. “It lasted nice. We had a whole lot of apply and all of the folks bonded. That is really a core a part of our group. You must come collectively and change into an actual group.”
The bond was examined throughout a grueling common season schedule. Solely certainly one of Liberty Christian's 9 losses got here towards 1A opponents, and that setback was avenged with a regional victory towards the Cardinals.
The heavy plate was designed to arrange the younger group for moments like final weekend and the semi-state Saturday in Michigan Metropolis.
When the Lions take the courtroom towards Marquette Catholic (12-15) at 11 a.m. EDT, they’re unlikely to be overwhelmed at this level.
And Liberty Christian nonetheless feels its finest basketball is forward.
“There's all the time room for enchancment,” English mentioned. “So we are able to all enhance on one thing, even when it's a small acquire.”
Throughout video games like final week's regional win, it's laborious not to consider the longer term.
The Lions are solely centered on extending the present season and sending off seniors Devon Kelley and Jerramie Johnson with championships.
However the expertise of the freshman trio virtually requires outsiders to dream concerning the future potentialities.
As these kids develop and enhance collectively, the sky is the restrict.
“Yeah,” Martin mentioned when requested if he may envision the trio's future collectively. “We will probably be unstoppable.”
