Liberty overcomes sluggish start to beat Hazen, 54-48
January 6, 2012
Both teams look to improve in conference play
Ben Wessel, Liberty High School senior post, fouls Hazen High School junior center Cody Moorhead on the putback from a rebound during the first quarter of the Dec. 22 game. By Greg Farrar
As the Hazen High School boys team opened play against Liberty on Dec. 22, Hazen coach Ryan Thompson liked the pace his team was setting.
Led by senior guard starter Alex Olson’s eight points in the first quarter, the Highlanders were up 17-8 after the first quarter of the game.
Liberty winter athletes take to postseason
March 4, 2011
Liberty High School’s swimmers and wrestlers stole the spotlight this winter season, reaching the state championships.
Swimmer Logan Briggs took second place in the state 3A championships in the 200-yard freestyle, helping lead Liberty’s swim team to a tie for seventh place at the state championships.
Hamilton Noel, Liberty High School junior, has the better position on Enumclaw’s Josh Musick early in their 152-pound state 3A championship match Feb. 19 at the Tacoma Dome. By Sebastian Moraga
Wrestler Hamilton Noel took second place in the state in 152-pound weight class.
Liberty’s basketball teams’ postseasons were cut short, with the girls falling in the Sea-King District Tournament, and the boys falling in the KingCo 3A Tournament.
Ready to compete against NCAA’s elite
February 4, 2011
Liberty’s Chandler Jenkins dives into the recruiting process
Chandler Jenkins, Liberty senior running back, runs for a 37-yard gain Nov. 12 against Mount Si. By Greg Farrar
If you see him on the other side of the field, you had better hope he is on your team, because when the clock starts, he is going to fight for the win with fervid intensity. Always.
So, it might be best to get out of the way before he runs over you.
Hazen dominates, Liberty struggles in January
February 4, 2011
The Hazen Highlanders boys basketball team blazed through January, posting an 8-1 record and falling only to 4A Skyline High School.
Thanks to its strong record, the team was 14-3 and one win away from clinching the Seamount League championship as of Newcastle News’ deadline Jan. 31.
Dawit Kasa, Hazen junior center, puts up a shot Jan. 18 during the fourth quarter of the Highlanders' 70-62 victory against Lindbergh. By Greg Farrar
Hazen will play in a seeding match before heading to the playoffs.
The Liberty Patriots went 3-5 in January, and its 5-11 overall record as of the News’ deadline was enough to advance it to a postseason seeding match.
Drama is still unfolding in tale of two teams
January 7, 2011
Drama is still unfolding in tale of two teams
Hazen senior Brandt Graybeal leaps for a layup in the third quarter against Evergreen High School Dec. 15. Below, Hazen senior shooting guard Michael Dampier prepares to make a move in the first quarter against Evergreen. Photo by Tim Pfarr
The Hazen High School boys basketball team had a successful December, going 6-3 overall and 3-1 in conference play. However, the Liberty High School boys basketball team encountered adversity during the final month of 2010, going 3-6 overall and 1-3 in conference play.
New coaches lead Liberty, Hazen basketball teams
January 7, 2011
Liberty High School and Hazen High School have named new head coaches to lead their boys basketball programs. Liberty officials brought on Joe Fithian, a former Seattle University coach, and Hazen officials called upon teacher, former head coach and former athletic director Gary Schaplow.
Joe Fithian
Liberty’s coaching situation was shaken last year when school officials fired former head coach Jevon Green mid-season. To fill the coaching holes, they hired Joe Fithian to take over as interim junior varsity head coach. In April, Liberty offered him the varsity job.
Joe Fithian imparts advice to the players on the Liberty HIgh School boys team during a recent game. By Greg Farrar
Liberty girls go 2-1 in tournament
January 7, 2011
The Liberty High School girls basketball team won two of three games last week in the KingCo/WesCo Challenge Tournament at Juanita High School.
Liberty, 7-3 on the season, defeated Glacier Peak, 56-53, Dec. 28. Aspen Winegar tallied 17 points to lead the Patriots. Liberty fell behind by seven points in the first quarter, but fought back to tie Glacier Peak 24-24 at halftime. The Patriots went ahead in the third quarter and held a 43-40 lead entering the fourth quarter.
Danni Sjolander contributed 12 points and Halie Ericksen 11 points for Liberty.
Liberty Patriots’ basketball programs struggled at times through January
February 4, 2010
The Liberty boys and girls basketball teams found spotty success in January.
The girls team went 3-4 during the month, defeating Decatur 55-26, Interlake 71-62 and Sammamish 50-25. The team lost to Juanita 50-33, Mercer Island 56-52, Mount Si 57-46 and Bellevue 41-33. Read more
