Liberty Magnet vs. Scotlandville top performers

Liberty Magnet, in its green Mardi Gras jerseys, paraded to the foul line 39 times Thursday, capitalizing on most, to top Scotlandville for a high-profile win to tip off the carnival weekend.   The No. 2 Patriots (26-4, 3-0) sank 27 (69.2%) on the night — including 24 of its first 29 (82.8%) through three and a half quarters — to hold off the No. 8 Hornets (19-11, 1-2) to remain unbeaten in the loaded District 4-5A race with a 54-47 victory.   "We're a very physical team," Liberty Magnet coach Brandon White said. "We take pride in our weight room, and so that has really paid off. And so a lot of times my guys are able to get in position down low and because they're strong and physical, they're going up strong. We're just always on 'em about finishing around the rim and making free throws, and they did a good job of that tonight."   The Patriots effectively chased, limited and contested Scotlandville's guards from the perimeter into the paint, but still only allowed 15 free-throw attempts, including just five through the first three and a half quarters.   "We're all small, so really we're all guards at the next level," senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1560409' first='Marquise' last='McPipe'] said. "So my coach said, 'You're only as good as the position you can defend,' so we've got to defend every position."   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/KPe7TWRgQSM </div></figure>     [player_tooltip player_id='1499023' first='Jamal' last='Drewery'] — 5-10 G — Scotlandville (2025)   The Patriots' quick and physical perimeter defense smothered and frustrated the Hornets' star and his backcourt mates the bulk of the night, including keeping Drewery from even attempting a 3-pointer in the first half and then going 0-for-5 from beyond the arc. But Drewery consistently found his teammates out of the pressure to finish with five well-seen and well-delivered assists. He also got to the line for four of his six points, grabbed four rebounds and snatched four steals with his own quick feet and active hands.   [player_tooltip player_id='1105591' first='Howard' last='Gaskins'] Jr. — 6-2 G — Liberty Magnet (2024)   The senior guard continuing leading his Patriots' offense with a game-high 21 points, attacking early and providing pivotal answers late in the third quarter to slow a Scotlandville run. Gaskins also grabbed five rebounds and deflected away an early steal to set up a big [player_tooltip player_id='1408867' first='Jaylen' last='Peters'] dunk to spark the team and the home crowd.   Aaron Marshall — 6-1 G — Scotlandville (2025)   On a tough, 5-for-23 (21.7%) shooting night for the Hornets from the arc, the junior guard was the brightest spot at 3-for-8 (37.5%) with his confidence and range. No other player for either team made more than one shot from deep. Marshall added a pair of late free throws to finish with 11 points, four rebounds and an assist.   [player_tooltip player_id='1560409' first='Marquise' last='McPipe'] — 6-3 F — Liberty Magnet (2024)   McPipe attacked the glass and the rim early on his way to 11 points, seven rebounds, a blocked shot and a steal — a performance inside that were particularly critical with Peters battling foul trouble the entire contest. For all the interior presence the thickly built, strong athlete provides at the high school level, he also showcased his perimeter defense as the Patriots switched and stayed with the typically four-guard Hornets.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/TNa0yFvGxzo </div></figure>     [player_tooltip player_id='2408250' first='Malek' last='Robinson'] — 5-10 G — Liberty Magnet (2025)   The quick, pesky guard is a consistent nightmare for opposing ball-handlers and once again spearheaded the Patriots' defense. A third-quarter steal highlighted that performance, but Robinson was tenacious and disruptive on the ball all night. And additionally, he drained a 3-pointer in the opening seconds, his team's only make from beyond the arc, on his way to 12 points, six rebounds and four assists, including the feeds to Gaskins on his timely baskets late in the third.   LaMarkus Williams — 6-6 F — Scotlandville (2024)   The senior big man led the Hornets with his standout performance on the boards for 15 rebounds — which helped set up most of his 11 points on second-chance opportunities — and other plays on which he effectively boxed his man out of the play to set up teammates for easy rebounds. Williams also blocked a pair of shots in the first quarter.

Liberty Magnet, in its green Mardi Gras jerseys, paraded to the foul line 39 times Thursday, capitalizing on most, to top Scotlandville for a high-profile win to tip off the carnival weekend.