Back on April 16, 2021, the Liberty Patriots lost to Skyline 69-36, a game that at the time Liberty had to be just happy to play during the pandemic because of all the trials and tribulations that it took to overcome the pandemic.

That 36-point performance stood as the fewest points scored until Jan. 7 against Bellevue. The Patriots lost 64-38 to the Wolverines on the road. It was the Patriots’ first in-state loss of the season and worst loss (26 points) since Eastside Catholic in the district tournament last season (46 points).

The question wasn’t if Head Coach Omar Parker’s team would respond — the question was how bad would it get for their next opponent, Skyline.

There was a point of emphasis not to flush the loss to Bellevue, but learn from it.

“In this tier one conference, every single night is going to be a tough team. When you are at the top of the conference, you’re going to get everyone’s best shot. Sometimes maybe it takes getting punched in the mouth before you really feel it and start punching back,” Parker said.

On Jan. 10, the Patriots bounced back with a 65-36 win over the Spartans. The 36 points against the Patriots is the third time this season that Liberty has held an opponent to under 40 points.

“We talk about guarding, rebounding and getting great shots. Even sometimes great shots don’t go in, guarding and rebounding are things we think we can really control. We put an emphasis on that,” Parker said.

It’s the second straight season where Liberty has allowed fewer than 40 points three times.

“I felt like tonight it was especially important to set a tone. Skyline doesn’t have a bunch of wins on their schedule, and we wanted to take away hope early. We were trying to get out and run and really rebound and really defend,” Parker said.

Isaac Roberts got the Patriots going early with four quick points. Then senior Max Vermeulen joined the part with 10 points in the first half as the Patriots took a 20-9 lead at the end of the first quarter.

“We just trust and play hard for each other. We know what is best for the team and we just stick to that,” Vermeulen said.

In the second quarter, starters scored just four points. But the Patriot bench contributed for 13 points in the frame. Mason Chin played a big role for Parker off the bench.

Chin also leads the team in a stat that might be assumed to be headed by Liberty’s leading scorer Jackson Whitaker.

“He actually leads us in three point percentage. He’s a dynamite shooter with a great midrange game and a knack for coming up with loose balls… When you talk about basketball IQ, he’s gotta be up there,” Parker said.

Despite the success of the Patriots on the court, there was one ingredient that was absent in the recipe. Whitaker made just two shots from the floor all game, but never stopped shooting, which was what Parker wanted to see. His teammates also picked him up.

“It was still a good game by him. He opened up the floor and freed everyone up. I just kept telling him to keep shooting, he’s got the skills to shoot great every night,” Vermeulen said.

In the tail end of the fourth quarter, Parker took Whitaker out of the game once it was out of hand. But before Whitaker sat down, Parker had a 30-second conversation with Whitaker.

“I am extremely proud to be Jackson Whitaker’s coach. He is one of the best offensive players that has ever come through Liberty. But tonight I was exceptionally proud of his demeanor and maturity as he overcame a personal adversity night. But he still guarded and rebounded and impacted the game in other ways… I think he’s a good leader, but he took a step to being a great leader tonight,” Parker said

11 different Patriots recorded a made basket in the win and for essentially the entirety of the fourth quarter, the end of the bench players got a valuable chunk of minutes.

“It’s very cool. I love watching them play and cheering them on. I love seeing them succeed. We practice against them every day. They are a big part of our team,” Vermeulen said.

Liberty takes on Foster at home on Jan. 15 and University Prep on Jan. 18 before getting back into league play against Woodinville on Jan. 22.

Liberty’s Mason Chin runs the Patriot offense against Skyline. Ben Ray / The Reporter

Patriot junior Elijah Nordland drives to the basket. Ben Ray / The Reporter