Liberty Defeats Democracy Prep, Punches Ticket to Finals

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Liberty looked sharp from the very beginning, but Democracy Prep answered quickly. After one quarter, the Patriots held a 14–11 lead.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second quarter turned into a back and forth battle, with both teams trading punches. But Liberty stretched the margin slightly and took a 29–24 lead into halftime.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the third, the Patriots maintained control, getting contributions from multiple players to keep momentum on their side. The Blue Knights responded in spurts, but Liberty still carried a five point advantage into the fourth. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>From there, time became the biggest opponent for Democracy Prep, and the Patriots methodically closed the door to secure their spot in the finals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1463230"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6997639c08b83"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1463230' first='Tyus' last='Thomas'] helped Liberty build an early lead with his shot making. He buried a couple of triples and jumpers. Making the most of extra space when it was there. Later on, Thomas hit a floater and he also notched in two free throws at the end. He finished the game as the leading scorer, with 18 points. Look for him to be a player to watch in the finals.<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1463237"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6997639c08aac"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1463237' first='Tayshawn' last='Caesar'] leveraged his burst to make plays for Liberty last night. He stayed in attack mode, converting layups in transition and knocking down a nice mid-range jumper. Caesar was also a pest defensively, not giving his matchup much room to operate and coming away with a steal. He finished with 10 points in the Patriots' win.<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2128311"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6997639c08b1a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Taytum Cios-Webb impacted the game on both ends in Liberty's win over Democracy Prep. He was all over the glass, turning rebounds into second-chance points. And drilled a key three to close the third quarter. On defense, his motor stood out. I noticed him cutting off driving lanes and staying active with hands.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Stats - 7 Points<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1493480"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6997639c08a24"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1493480' first='Dante' last='Steward'] provided balance with 12 points for the Patriots. He stretched the floor with two three-pointers and utilized his frame to score through contact inside. On the defensive end, his length bothered DPAC's perimeter players. And I liked how he collected boards as well. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2122232"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6997639c08bea"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2122232' first='Kaden' last='Arnold'] put his bucket getting abilities on display yesterday for the Blue Knights. He started off grabbing a rebound on offense and went right back up with it for his first 2 points. He then drained a 3 and dropped in the free throw after getting fouled on the attempt, for a 4 point play. Arnold also put away another shot from the perimeter, and had a strong take to the rim. He finished with a team high of 13 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2374248"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6997639c08d2b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2374248' first='Dashaun' last='Harris'] scored from a few different spots on the floor against Liberty. He got to the line and converted four free throws, hit a jumper and a three, and added another bucket inside. One of his best moments came on a perfectly placed throw ahead pass in transition. He also competed defensively until the final whistle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Stats - 11 Points <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1667943"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6997639c08d99"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1667943' first='Zyon' last='Harris'] had 9 points for Democracy Prep in the semifinals. He was able to capitalize on multiple shots from long range, and connected on 3 triples. He also made opponents work on the defensive end. Expect him to turn some heads during the AAU season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->