Redskins Survive Southwestern Heights

The class 3A Southwestern Heights Mustangs gave a spirited effort against the class 6A Liberal Redskins Friday night in the Big House.  Despite trailing by seven late in the third quarter, the Skins rallied for a 35-15 run to finish the game and win 73-60.  It’s Liberal’s first 3-0 start since 2019.

The Redskins built a 12-8 lead early but the Mustangs raced back to lead 18-16 after one quarter.  LHS led 32-30 at halftime.  The Redskins quickly built a 38-31 lead in the third quarter.  Foul trouble, sloppy offense, and defensive breakdowns ensued for the rest of the third quarter on the Liberal front.  Meanwhile the Mustangs inspired their fans in building a 45-38 lead with 1:45 to play in the third.  Ryan Mein sparked LHS late in the third quarter with five points including an “and one” to cut the Mustang lead to 46-45.  Heights led 50-47 in the fourth quarter before Beto Torres sunk a left wing three pointer.  Liberal led 61-58 before a Zayden Martinez lay up led by a steal and another Zayden bucket to lead 65-58 with 2:57 to play.  A Carson Chamberlain three gave the Redskins a 68-58 lead.

Liberal shot 43 percent from the field and won despite 16 turnovers.  LHS was 3-18 from three and 16-25 at the foul line.

Ryan Mein was Epic Touch Player of the Game with his seven points while Brooks Kappelmann, Zayden Martinez, and Xavier Tafoya were saddled with foul trouble.  James Fieser scored 18 points for the Redskins while going 9-15 from the foul line.  Brooks Kappelmann had 16 points, nine rebounds, and three steals.  Zayden Martinez had 16 points and three steals.  Carson Chamberlain had seven points and seven steals.  Edwin Puentes led the Mustangs with 13 points.

Southwestern Heights is 0-3 and plays at Meade Saturday night.  Liberal is 3-0 and hosts Holcomb Saturday night at about 7:45 on 1270 and 92.3.