Liberty Christian’s boys followed up the girls championship with one
of their own in a hard fought 53-43 win over New Salem. Once again
the game was close throughout, as Liberty Christian broke a 15-15
tie early in the second quarter and managed to hang on for their
sixth state title since 1998 (the other five were at Warrenton
Christian). The Eagles lead by just two at the half, 28-26, and by
only four entering the fourth quarter, 41-37, before the Eagles
senior leadership took over in the final period, as seniors Jesse
Goodfellow and Brian Nestel took control of the game. Goodfellow ran
the offense flawlessly in the final quarter as Nestel scored a game
high 32 points and had 10 rebounds. Robbie Boaz hit three of four
clutch free throws late in the fourth quarter as the Eagles were
spreading the court, and then sealed off the championship season
with a breakaway slam dunk for the 53-43 win.
Coach Butch Clark gave praise to his entire squad after the game. “The kids did a great job all season long and this was truly a team effort. All eleven kids contributed and had their moments throughout the season.” Clark went on to add, “Brian (Nestel) and Luke (Wishman) just owned the boards here this weekend, like they have most of the season, and our guards were terrific also as Jesse (Goodfellow), Mic (Fox), Robbie (Boaz) and Brad (Kassebaum) did a great job of getting Brian the ball today.” “Our bench play was the best I have ever had in my eight seasons as a coach. Adam (Meyer) and Jake (Keller) did a good job of filling in at the post, as did Dustyn (Miller), Josh (Telfer), Brad (Kassebaum), and Zach Hill at the guard spots. These guys allowed us to run and press all year long, and were very unselfish in their roles,” added Clark.
The Eagles finish the season at 25-9 and placed second at the Christian Academy Holiday Classic and the SLMCAA Conference Tournament, as well as winning the Bethel Christian Classic to open the season and MCSAA State Tournament to end it.
Liberty Christian Academy Boys
Adam Meyer
Zach Hill
Jake Keller
Mic Fox
Josh Telfer
Jesse Goodfellow
Brad Kassebaum
Robbie Boaz
Dustyn Miller
Luke Wishman
Brian Nestel
Joel Meyer
Coach: Butch Clark
Team Mgr.: Daniel Barrios
Coach Butch Clark gave praise to his entire squad after the game. “The kids did a great job all season long and this was truly a team effort. All eleven kids contributed and had their moments throughout the season.” Clark went on to add, “Brian (Nestel) and Luke (Wishman) just owned the boards here this weekend, like they have most of the season, and our guards were terrific also as Jesse (Goodfellow), Mic (Fox), Robbie (Boaz) and Brad (Kassebaum) did a great job of getting Brian the ball today.” “Our bench play was the best I have ever had in my eight seasons as a coach. Adam (Meyer) and Jake (Keller) did a good job of filling in at the post, as did Dustyn (Miller), Josh (Telfer), Brad (Kassebaum), and Zach Hill at the guard spots. These guys allowed us to run and press all year long, and were very unselfish in their roles,” added Clark.
The Eagles finish the season at 25-9 and placed second at the Christian Academy Holiday Classic and the SLMCAA Conference Tournament, as well as winning the Bethel Christian Classic to open the season and MCSAA State Tournament to end it.
Liberty Christian Academy Boys
Adam Meyer
Zach Hill
Jake Keller
Mic Fox
Josh Telfer
Jesse Goodfellow
Brad Kassebaum
Robbie Boaz
Dustyn Miller
Luke Wishman
Brian Nestel
Joel Meyer
Coach: Butch Clark
Team Mgr.: Daniel Barrios
