IRISH HEAD NORTH FOR LIBERTY

Scioto will make a relatively short trip up Sawmill Parkway to take on the Olentangy Liberty Patriots on Friday night.

Liberty comes into this one on a hot streak having won four consecutive league games. They’re 6-5 in the OCC Cardinal Division and 9-6 overall. A part of the recent success can be attributed to more games under first year Coach Greg Nossaman – who was very successful at Napoleon -- and a return to health that allows them to play a deep rotation of players.

These teams met on January 6 and the Irish came away with a 58-35 victory. Eric Stamets led a balanced Irish scoring attack with 11 points. Scioto earned a 31-15 advantage in rebounds and forced 19 turnovers. A team known for its perimeter shooting skill, the Patriots were 0-7 from beyond the arc that night after averaging 6 made three pointers per game in league play previously. Forwards Will Cheesman and Michael Fries led the Patriots with 9 and 8 points respectively.

Liberty has a true post presence in 6-5 Center Matt Napier who leads them in scoring and rebounding (10 ppg/8 rpg). Senior guard Tommy Waterwash is also averaging around 10 points a game and has a range of jump shots in his arsenal. Missing the last time these teams played were guard Tyler Yazrombek (8 ppg) and forward Tyler Conard (7 ppg).

Allen Eggleston, a talented football player who signed with Football Championship Subdivision Albany earlier this week, returned a couple of weeks ago from an ankle injury sustained in football. He is a solid defender and quick. Junior Zach Michael, a third year varsity starter, is the point guard.

Expect the Patriots to extend their defense and push the ball on offense. They will try to create mismatches through frequent substitutions and screens.

It is a tripleheader night with the freshman game scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m.

The junior varsity game is expected to tip at around 6 p.m. and the varsity game at 6:30 p.m.