Liberty's boys basketball team has made the drive from Brentwood to Palm Springs well worth it this year, advancing to the championship game of its bracket with a 56-35 win over Cabrillo-Lompoc on Thursday.
Kyris McInnis and Ben Smith led the Lions with 11 points each in the win over Cabrillo (10-3), part of a balanced scoring effort. Jack Ruff added 10 points, while Carson Musgrove contributed eight. Liberty (9-3) led 31-20 at the half, before holding the Conquistadors to just 15 second-half points and pulling away for the victory.
With the win, the Lions advance to play Simi Valley in the championship game. The Pioneers' wins in the tournament include an impressive 91-65 win over 12-2 Rancho Mirage.
Liberty opened the tournament with a 62-55 win over Sierra Vista-Las Vegas, led by junior Ryan Dutt's 15 points and five rebounds. Ruff added eight points and nine rebounds in the opener, while Max Lawrence had eight points and four steals.
The Lions then routed Cathedral City, 84-39, as Musgrove had 21 points with six steals, McInnis added 16 points. and Smith posted a 15-point, eight-rebound effort.
