The Liberty High School boys basketball team has now made the state tournament for a fourth time — with all four trips under Head Coach Omar Parker.

The Patriots were named the number four team in the District 2 tournament, and as a result needed to win just one game to make the state tournament.

Last season, the Patriots took on the eventual state champs Eastside Catholic. This year they faced Bishop Blanchet, a side that upset O’Dea in the first round.

The Patriots took care of business and downed the Bears 58-43, clinching their spot in the 3A state tournament for the first time since 2019.

“It feels great. I think these guys really deserved it. We played one of our better games of the season tonight,” Parker said.

From the opening tip-off, it was clear: Max Vermeulen was going to get his against Bishop Blanchet. The 6’4” guard can get hot from beyond the arc, and he did just that as he made a trio of three-pointers in the first quarter to kick-start the Patriots.

“I was feeling great tonight. I usually still get nervous and excited for this, but tonight I felt very good,” Vermeulen said.

Vermeulen’s nine points helped Liberty take a 20-11 lead at the end of the first quarter.

He continued to make it rain from three-point land as he finished the game with a team and game high 21 points on seven made three-pointers. On a night where Liberty needed someone to take the reigns of the offense, Vermeulen was the guy to do it.

On his defensive performance, Vermeulen just sees it as a part of his game that can help his team.

“It just came down to listening what he (Parker) tells us to do and just trying hard. I just have a lot of passion and want to win games and that gets me going,” Vermeulen said.

Liberty took a 33-26 lead into the locker room at halftime, and if not for Mason Chin’s five points in the second quarter, the game might have looked a little different. Outside of Chin, Liberty scored a total of seven points in the frame.

In the third quarter, a pair of threes from Vermeulen got the Patriots on track, and passes from Jackson Whitaker found open teammates like Tyson Burley, who had five points in the third.

Liberty dominated on the glass as well against the Bears. Countless times, Liberty was fighting down low to get rebounds on the offensive glass. Isaac Roberts had a field day getting rebounds and kick-out passes.

“Max, Isaac, Odin and even Jack at time were really crashing the offensive glass. It speaks to our resolve,” Parker said.

In the fourth quarter, Blanchet went on a 7-0 run to really put pressure on Liberty. But there was a certain calm energy on the floor, and the Patriots weathered the storm and relied on their experience to bend, but not break.

“We’ve been to the district tournament every year and seen this type of game and been through it. Wins and losses, I think the maturity of our guys came through,” Parker said.

The Patriots ended up cruising to a 12-point victory and punched their ticket to state in the process. The celebration afterward was a bit of relief, but there is still hunger for what is to come.

“It was very exciting (after the game). We are happy to make the state tournament, but we are still focused on making a run. We want to do as good as we can in that tournament,” Vermeulen said.

For the district semifinal game, the Patriots are faced with Rainier Beach, arguably the best team in the state, the number one seed and a team with not only state title hopes, but expectations.

Liberty has slain some giants this season already. Mount Si and Bellevue are massive wins for Parker’s squad. But Rainier Beach is a whole other beast.

“When we get outside of ourselves, that is where we run into some speed bumps. Tonight was a huge step because we played our game. No matter who we play, that’s how we are going to play. Just gotta be us,” Parker said.

Tyson Burley fakes a pass with an animated facial expression. Ben Ray / The Reporter