ANTIOCH, CA - Senior Andrew Mork led the way for the Freedom offense, finishing with a team-high 18 points, including four three-pointers, to help lead Freedom to a 61-57 league victory over Deer Valley, sweeping the season series from the Wolverines.
Freedom (16-5, 4-2 BVAL) had a 49-38 lead entering the fourth quarter, after a couple of three-pointers from Mork and great passes from junior Baylei Coston.
Deer Valley (15-7, 2-4) almost made an outstanding comeback after being down by as many 11 points, led by two big three-pointers from junior Jake Long and great finishing from senior Anthony Russel, as Freedom's lead was trimmed to two points with one minute remaining.
Freedom sealed the deal in the final minute, though, led by two clutch free throws from sophomore Trevon O'Neal, who finished the game with 15 points, and a steal from senior Bailey Jones, to give the Falcons their fourth win in BVAL play.
"I thought we played well in spurts," said Freedom coach Drew Torres. "But credit to Deer Valley because every time we had them on the ropes, they would come down and hit a big three."
It was a back-and-forth first quarter for both teams, as Deer Valley started the game on a 7-2 run, led by three-pointers from Long and sophomore Domonic Pino.
Freedom finished the quarter strong, led by a couple layups from senior Jared Stokes and Coston, as the Falcons tied the game 14-14 heading into the second quarter.
Freedom started fast in the second quarter by going on a 10-2 run, led by six points from Mork and great defense from senior Christian Lopez, to give Freedom a 32-25 lead entering halftime.
"We stayed strong and made big defensive stops when we needed to," said Stokes, who finished the game with 11 points.
Freedom will look to continue this three-game BVAL winning streak, as they will host co-leader Antioch on Tuesday at 7 pm, who they lost to 64-55 in their first meeting.
Deer Valley will look to bounce back Tuesday at 7 pm, as they will host Pittsburg, who they beat in their first meeting, 63-47.
