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School history was on the horizon for Liberty Creek’s boys basketball team Monday night as the Wolves traveled 30 minutes south to Nashville’s LEAD Academy.
In their first sectional appearance, they were tested but never faltered.
Holding off the Panthers, the Wolves picked up the 67-62 win securing their first Class 2A state tournament appearance in just their third year as a program.
“The feeling hasn’t really sunk in yet,” Liberty Creek coach Seth Massey said following the win. “That was the longest two minutes of basketball one of my team’s have ever played. It does feel good and I’m happy for the kids.
…they’ve worked hard and they’re deserving of this moment.”
For Massey, it’ll be his second time taking a team to MTSU’s Murphy Center. He led Station Camp to Murfreesboro in 2016.
That year he led the Bison to the Class AAA semifinals.
While he may be at a new place, Massey sees some similarities between that team and the one he’s coaching now.
“I’m happy that they get to experience that and get another week to their season,” Massey said. “The stuff leading up to it is a lot of fun. The differences in 2016 and now, it’s a different school and different name, but the common things would be the same, as far as the way the kids play with togetherness and unselfishness.”
Building on that trust and what they did against LEAD Academy will be the biggest challenge for the Wolves. They’re scheduled to play top-ranked and unbeaten Loretto Wednesday at 4 p.m.
Senior leadership was the key to getting to this point in the year.
With no real standouts averaging over 20 points per game, the Wolves had relied on their seniors to get them out of tough spots. That was evident against the Panthers as each time LEAD would get within striking distance, a Liberty Creek senior would come up with a clutch shot.
“Playing with this group is a lot of fun because we’re all one team,” senior guard Trace Collier remarked. “We all listen to each other and we can get mad at each other if needed and be able to take it. I wouldn’t want to be playing with anyone else.”
