The Liberty Bell High School Mountain Lion boys outran the Chelan Mountain Goats, 71-48, to cap a rare New Year’s Eve varsity double header in the Lions’ Den on Saturday (Dec. 31).
The girls dropped the opener, 62-16, to the taller, older and faster Goats, who are expected to compete for the Caribou Trail League’s regular season title this year.
The win for the boys extended their season record to 5-3 as they entered North Central Washington B League play on Tuesday (Jan. 3) at home versus the Bridgeport Fillies, a game played after this week’s Methow Valley News went to print.
Remi Paz led the Mountain Lions with a game high 20 points against Chelan, sharpshooting a perfect six-for-six from behind the three-point line, adding a breakaway lay-in in the third quarter for a little variety. He contributed 5 assists with several nice dimes on the break to teammates for easy scores off transition.
Senior Isaiah Stoothoff entered the game in the second quarter and immediately found his spot in the left corner, drilling three shots from that spot and finding the inside of the rim for another two more shots to score 10 of the Mountain Lions’ 14 second quarter points. Both teams put up 17 third quarter points with Liberty Bell closing out the deal with a 21-12 final period.
For girls’ head coach Korrie Bourn, it was another learning experience for her squad. The bright spot was early in the third quarter when her charges opened the period on a six-point run.
“Sometimes halftime speeches work out,” Bourn said with a smile. Already up by 35 points at the half, the Goats quickly recovered after a timeout, and then went on a tear, using their size advantage by pounding the ball inside on offense, creating transition off of multiple turnovers and gaining a decisive edge on the boards.
The Mountain Lions head out onto the road for a three-game adventure, playing Friday (Jan. 6) at Tonasket, Saturday (Jan. 7) at Quincy and Tuesday (Jan. 10) at Oroville. Next home action for Liberty Bell is slated for Saturday, Jan. 14, when Okanogan’s Bulldogs visit the Lions’ Den.
