“We talked about our goals at the beginning of the season,” said 2nd-year Head Coach Bear Mattison following Friday’s win, “and winning the small school was one of them.”

The Mounties won their 14th game of the season in the same manner they’ve been practicing for years .. with a trapping, half-court press and unselfish play on offense. 

“I’ve been with these guys since they were in 5th and 6th grade,” explained Mattison of starting seniors Louis Mercantino, Adynn Wheeland and Blake Oakley and juniors Luke Kreger, Evan McTish and Brody Grinnell. “They’ve played better every year together .. learning together to get to this point.”

Friday night, Liberty fell behind early as the host Warriors hit a pair of 3-pointers to take a 6-5 lead before Mercantino hit his second three and Kreger followed with one of his own to give the Mounties an 11-6 lead that they’d never surrender.

The Mounties’ starting five all scored in NPL’s 20-14 first frame, led by Mercantino’s 8 points while Kreger (5), McTish (3), Oakley (2) and Wheeland (2) each contributed. 

Mercantino finished with 24 points, with four 3-pointers, while Kreger added 15 points, McTish had 13, Oakley had 12, Wheeland scored 7 points and Grinnell had 5.

While Canton wouldn’t lead the rest of the game, they did cut the deficit to 2 by scoring the first 6 points of the second quarter to make it 20-18 with under six minutes left before the half. 

Liberty turned up the half-court pressure and turned multiple steals into points, as the Mounties’ starters and 6th-man Grinnell all helped NPL to a 19-15 quarter and a 39-29 lead at the break.

The Mounties came up with 17 steals as a team in the win, led by Kreger’s 8 and 5 by Oakley. They also assisted on 19 of their 29 baskets, with Oakley handing out 7 helpers and Kreger dishing out 6. 

After Oakley opened the second half with an old fashioned 3-point play, Canton scored a pair of buckets and Liberty promptly went on a 15-0 run and finished the 27-14 quarter with a 66-43 lead. Kreger (8 pts.), McTish (7) and Mercantino (5) all hit 3-pointers in the third while Oakley added 5 points and Wheeland had 2.

Mercantino hit his fourth three in the fourth quarter and Grinnell got in on the long distance display with a 3-pointer and Oakley rounded out the Mounties’ scoring with 2 points as NPL played Canton even at 10-10 in the final frame to provide the final. 

Kreger (8 rebounds), Oakley (7) and McTish (7) controlled the boards against the bigger Warriors, leading to a number of second and third chances that the Mounties cashed in on. 

“After losing in the 3rd-place game last year in districts, these guys were right back in the gym that Monday,” said Mattison of his hard working squad. “We played AAU in the spring and played in a challenging summer league. It’s good to see all of their hard work pay off.”

With one preseason goal checked off their list and one regular season game remaining, Mattison explains where his team’s focus shifts from here. 

“These guys get the weekend to enjoy winning a championship,” says Mattison, “and then we get to work on achieving our other goal .. winning the District 4 title. We’re excited for the opportunity and we have to remain focused and keep working as a team. And as always .. relax, have fun, play basketball.”

The Mounties (14-7) are scheduled to visit Cowanesque Valley on Monday for their final regular season game. 

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