Nevada H.S Team Previews: Liberty Patriots
You can make the argument that perhaps no team in the state posses more prospects than the Liberty Patriots. They are loaded with talented players in both the back and front court. In his 6th year at the helm, HC…
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Continue ReadingYou can make the argument that perhaps no team in the state posses more prospects than the Liberty Patriots. They are loaded with talented players in both the back and front court. In his 6th year at the helm, HC Stefan Berg has his program poised to make major noise. Everyone already knows about top 50 national stud Julian Strawther, however there are several other players ready to take their place onto center stage. In this article PH takes a look at some of the key contributors for the Liberty Patriots.
Head Coach:
Stefan Berg 6th Season
Conference: 4A Desert Southeast
Key Returners:
(photo credit: Nick Kosa)Julian Strawther 6’6 SF 2020 (#2 PHN 2020) – One of the top wing players in the country returns for his senior season. Strawther is a dynamic scorer and prototypical high major wing. Great size, and a knock down shooter from 3. A run and jump athlete, that can also put the ball on the floor to create. One of the rare high major prospects that spends four years at the same school. The Gonzaga commit is determined to get his team past the 2nd round this season.
Dante Davis 5’11 PG 2021 (#30 PHN 2020) – Davis is one of the most explosive PG’s in the city. Described by the coaches as a “smooth assassin”, Davis is an even keeled athlete that always seems to be under control. He’s on my all 0 to 60 team. He does and excellent job of lulling defenders to sleep, and then exploding past them with a quick burst. His leadership will be one of the keys to the success of the team this season.
Kobe Stroughter (featured image) 6’1 SG 2020 (#9 PHN 2021)– The quick lefty is another quality backcourt contributor. He provides ballhandling, and outside shooting. A quick separation guard. Stoughter posses a collection of COD’s that allows him to free himself from defenders. Great complimentary player to the scoring of Strawther.
Lorenzo Abellar 5’9 PG 2021 (#19 PHN 2021) – Abellar may be pound for pound the toughest guard in the state. He is a 5’10 135 pound bulldog. Great on ball defender that loves to challenge ballhandlers. Lightning quick PG. Between Abellar, Davis and Stoughter the Patriots have one of the more formidable backcourt trios in the state.
Key Newcomers:
Joshua Jefferson 6’6 PF 2020 (#4 PHN 2022) – Part of the reason for the excitement around this team, is the arrival of some key newcomers. Joshua has already started to make a name for himself both locally and on the national scene. Jefferson may be the best post scorer in the state. Ballerina feet, with an array of advanced post moves in his bag. Jefferson is poised for his break out season.
Aaron Price 6’5 PF 2022 – One of the main reason I do team previews is to find prospects like this. Price is a bouncy athlete. He’s young, however he should provide instant low post scoring, rebounding and rim protection. Liberty is one of the sleeper teams in the state. If they start getting consistent production from price watch out.
Top Prospect: Julian Strawther – I’m so excited to watch Strawther at Gonzaga next season. He has all the tools to be a special basketball player. Terrific offensive skill set. If he continues to develop physically, and dedicates himself to becoming a complete two way player the sky’s the limit. The Zags have had a history of developing relatively unknown players. Strawther isn’t that. He is one of the highest recruits in their program’s history. If he develops like some of the others, we may be looking at a future lottery pick.