Redskins Come Back to Beat #5 Concordia

After a loss to Andover Friday, it was time to talk. The Redskin boys basketball team met and they talked. Coaches were frank with players about the play of the team. That doesn’t mean all ills are cured, but Saturday in Salina LHS played some of their finest defense of the season in beat fifth ranked 4A division 2 Concordia 58-55 in the Salina Bicentennial Center Saturday night.

Liberal led 16-14 after one but trailed 27-25 at halftime. The Panthers led 32-25 early in the third quarter before the Redskins ripped off a 16-4 run to lead 41-36. Concordia took the lead back at 49-48 before LHS led 50-49. The Panthers led 53-50 but trailing 53-52, a play that illustrated Liberal’s new resolved ensued. Markalyn Eatmon dove for a loose ball and knocked it away before Kylan Thomas dove for and cradled the ball on the floor and called timeout . LHS would take the lead and never look back. Thomas hit clutch free throws down the stretch and Liberal had their win.

Thomas scored 15 and Deladris Green scored 11 with seven rebounds. Cameron Riley gave the Redskins a much needed shot in the arm offensively with 12 points and four three pointers. LHS was 5-20 from three point range, 9-17 at the foul line, and shot 42 percent from the field. Cole Evans led Liberal with eight rebounds.

Liberal is 8-3 and faces Buhler, coached by former Hutch JUCO coach Ryan Swanson, Sunday evening at 6:15 at Salina Central and airing on 1270 and kscbnews.net. Concordia is 7-4.