Liberty girls basketball team improves record to 5-2

AJ Enquillado drives to the basket during Liberty's game against Hemet. (Photo by Action Captures Media Group)

By Doug Spoon, Editor

The Liberty High girls basketball team is a work in progress – and so far the results are pretty darn good.

The Bison improved their season record to 5-2 Wednesday with a 45-31 victory over Hemet. Junior point guard Alex Barajas led the way with 19 points and five other players scored as the Bison led from start to finish.

After leading 8-2 at the end of a slow-paced first quarter, Liberty went on a 13-2 run at the start of the second quarter to take command. Barajas started the scoring spree with a steal and layup, followed by a 3-point shot. Barajas ended the half with 12 points.

Liberty coach Fred Yepez praised the play of Barajas, a transfer from Santa Clarita.

“With her experience, it’s been a big help,” Yepez said about the role Barajas plays on a young team. "She definitely has aspirations of playing at the next level. She’s learning how to be a leader. I’m teaching her how to channel the frustrations she has sometimes, how to be vocal in a positive manner.”

The Bison got good support from other players, including Dakota Jove and AJ Enquillado, who scored 7 points each. Liberty went on a 9-2 run to start the third quarter for a 35-18 lead, essentially putting the game away.

Yepez said that although the results this season have been positive, there’s a lot of work to be done to develop the Bison as a unit.

“It’s a development period,” he said. “I told them at the start of the season that this year would basically be putting in the foundation. That way we can be even better next year. As long as we’re competitive, we’re making progress.

“[Ballhandling] is one thing we definitely have to work on. Alex is our main ballhandler. The other kids aren’t feeling comfortable with it yet. That’s what we work on in practice on a daily basis. The first hour of practice every day is nothing but fundamental skills.”

Yepez said the challenge is to develop a team with players who have never played basketball before.

“In terms of our program, especially the JV team, most of the kids have never played basketball before,” he said. “The good thing with not having any seniors is everybody gets to come back next year. Everything we do this year should carry over to next year.”

Point guard Alex Barajas of Liberty led all scorers with 19 points. (Photo by Action Captures Media Group)

 Desirae Knox goes in for a layup in the second half of Liberty's victory. (Photo by Action Captures Media Group)

 Dakota Jove is all alone on her way to the basket Wednesday night. (Photo by Action Captures Media Group)

 Chayce McCoy puts up a shot over a Hemet defender on Wednesday. (Photo by Action Captures Media Group)