Eagles plan? To run, gun and surprise people

LIBERTY BOYS BASKETBALL PREVIEW

By Peter Brewington, Times Staff Writer

Football season is over. That means Pat Frazer is off the mike as PA announcer at Eagles’ football games and burning a lot a more calories patrolling the sidelines as Liberty’s veteran boys basketball coach.

Guard-oriented Liberty will play fast and, with four starters back, could have the talent to run with the big dogs in the hyper-competitive Northwestern District race.

“We got a lot of guys who can do a lot of good things. It’s a nice mix of juniors and seniors,” said Frazer, back for his 15th year.

Experienced guard Christian Reames sets the tone for the Eagles, and he’s joined by a host of agile, slashing players that include Derrick Brooks, Carter Shepard, Raymond Morton, Tre White and Bryan Barnes.

Six-foot-4 Ryan Resseman, 6-4 A.J. Lewis and 6-7 Fauquier High transfer Tryston Hodgson give the Eagles an inside presence.

The 6-1 left-handed Reames has been a varsity Eagle for four years and is the starting point guard. “Christian works so hard. We’re looking for a great season out of him. He’s so vocal in practice. It’s always been about Liberty for him,” said Frazer.

If Reames picks up some of the point production lost by the graduation of Josh Foote, and other players chime in, Liberty could shine.

That’s what happened in a promising 81-78 opening night win over John Champe last Friday. Reames led the way with 16, with Shepard and Morton making clutch free throws.

Veteran guard Christian Reames anchors Liberty’s senior-led lineup, which faces a huge early season test Thursday at Handley.

PHOTO BY RANDY LITZINGER

“It was a great way to start out the season. Champe is a very explosive team. I thought we played really well together on both ends of the court. Hopefully, this will give us some confidence as we move forward,” Frazer said.

Reames and Shepard started as the ballhandling guards, with White, Morton and Resseman in the other athletic roles.

“Carter can run the floor well and penetrate a little bit. There are moments when he can’t miss,” the coach said of Shepard, who played backup point guard in 2018.

A strong preseason has elevated Morton into the starting lineup. Liberty’s star football quarterback “can shoot the ball, take it to the hole and I feel like he understands the offense. He can do a lot, and is a leader,” Frazer said.

The coach is also excited about football player Tre White, who missed time in the fall with an injury but is healthy and starting in hoops. “He’s gonna see a lot of time for us. He fits in nicely. I’m excited about Tre,” the coach said.

Other key returnees include Brooks, Resseman and Lewis.

If you pressed me, I’d say Handley, but I think we can be in there.” – Coach Pat Frazer about the district race

Frazer views the 6-2 Brooks as a valuable inside player with scoring ability. “The way he plays he looks about 6-4, and he can get after it on the offensive end,” Frazer said.

Lewis, at 6-4, is also a versatile forward who can run the floor and play the Eagles’ style. At 6-4, Resseman adds height and talent.

Hodgson is the Eagles’ most towering player at 6-7 and should see more time as the year goes on.

Other Eagles Frazer is counting on include guards Latrelle Simpson, Russell Morton, and Sean Doores.

The 5-9 Simpson transferred in from Orange. “He’s a small guard, can shoot, is fast and can be disruptive on defense,” Frazer said.

Russell Morton, a 5-10 sophomore, is another guard with talent, Frazer said.

Because the team is more experienced, the potential is much higher, Frazer says.

He knows his guys are still fighting to defeat Northwestern District top dogs like Millbrook and Handley, but Frazer thinks Liberty will be in the hunt.

“There’s no clear favorite. If you pressed me, I’d say Handley, but I think we can be in there,” said Frazer.

Starting lineup

PG Christian Reames, Sr.

G Carter Shepard, Sr.

F Ray Morton, Sr.

F Tre White, Jr.

F Ryan Resseman, Sr.

Eagle hoops on the rise

For the first time in a while, Liberty is fielding a freshman boys team.

Overall, there are 39 boys playing basketball this winter over the three teams.

Coach Pat Frazer also cites strong interest locally with former Eagle Josh Lindsay coaching at Cedar Lee Middle School and longtime Eagle coach George Jolley coaching at Taylor Middle.

He also credits new JV coach Eric McCaslin for adding to the program.

“He was head girls basketball coach at Battlefield. We’re excited to have him. There’s good things going on,” Frazer said.