Liberty girls get back at Rock Bridge with 56-46 win
A press conference room is hidden in the belly of Mizzou Arena, and after a loss in the Missouri Class 5 state championship last March, Liberty coach Noah Simpson ushered his players into the space for a meeting with the media.
The gesture had a purpose. Only five minutes after falling to four-time defending champion Rock Bridge, Simpson turned his attention toward the following season.
“I wanted us all to feel that moment — and it hurt — but I think it could inspire us,” Simpson had said after the game.
Nearly 10 months later, the Blue Jays eased the sting. At least somewhat.
In a Missouri Class 5 state-championship rematch, Liberty defeated Rock Bridge 56-46 in the semifinals of the Truman Tournament.
Morgan Fleming scored 21 points for the Blue Jays, who will play host to Truman in the championship game at 3 p.m. Saturday.
“Obviously Rock Bridge left a bad taste in our mouths,” Fleming said. “I think we were really excited to get the chance to play them. We were fired up for this game.”
And perhaps a bit nervous. Liberty, 15-1, and Rock Bridge swapped the lead six times in the opening half.
The Blue Jays led only once in the second half, but once was enough. Liberty outscored Rock Bridge 18-8 in the third quarter, when Fleming scored seven points.
Sydney Offield added 12 points for Liberty, which will try to win the tournament for the second straight season.
“I thought this was really big for our kids to get a win against Rock Bridge — because that’s all we’ve been thinking about (since March),” Simpson said.
“In the first half, I thought that showed a little and maybe we were a little timid and playing not to lose. In the second half, we got back to who we are — more pressing, more attacking.”
Truman 53, William Chrisman 41
Truman junior Kierra Collier pulled up for a jump shot a couple of inches behind the three-point line, and a split-second later, the basketball fell through the net. It was only 6 minutes into a game against William Chrisman, and Truman already had its fourth three-pointer.
A sign of things to come.
Truman nailed eight three-pointers in its win over William Chrisman — its second victory against its rival this season.
Collier scored 25 points, and Sydney Paialii added 18 for the Patriots, who benefited from Collier’s ability to drive the lane and draw help defense.
“I think all of (my teammates) can knock down any shot any day, so it works out well for us,” Collier said “I think that’s how we’re going to win a lot of our games.”
This story was originally published January 21, 2016 at 9:37 PM with the headline "Liberty girls get back at Rock Bridge with 56-46 win."