Bison build up big lead, cruise to 75-59 victory

By Paige Mendez, Correspondent

The Liberty High School boys basketball team put up a 75-59 victory over Perris High Friday night.

In a game that started with a 10-6 Perris lead thanks to top Panther scorers Wilford Dawson and Miguel Diaz, the Bison had their work cut out for them. Head coach Andrew Ellis said the first half was just a “weird one all around” in his perspective.

After a tie score to end the first quarter, the Bison started to pick up the pace and took the lead for the first time. Despite an unusual setback just 30 seconds before halftime with a fire alarm game delay, they went into the locker room up 32-23 with plenty of momentum.

“We really preach those first five minutes of the second half,” Ellis said. “Coming out and playing with energy. Those first five minutes can really make or break a game and these kids backed it up today and came out and played hard.”

Led by junior Isaiah Tiggett, who posted 18 points, the Bison really ran away with their lead in the third quarter.

“I had to pick up the intensity in the second half,” said Tiggett. “I just talk on the court and cheer from the bench and play my game.”

His game included four 3-pointers on the night with two rebounds and a steal. His twin brother, Jalen Tiggett, contributed five rebounds and a steal of his own. Their combined efforts on the court is what Ellis said makes a big difference for his team.

“The twins really cause a lot of turnovers and deflections and get the other team guessing on whether or not they should be passing,” Ellis said, adding that the defensive efforts of his team across the board was really the game changer for the night—evidenced in the team’s total of 31 rebounds compared to Perris High’s 20.

With three players coming off the bench contributing 36 points combined, the Liberty defense seemed to translate on the other end of the court, as well.

Liberty went into the fourth quarter with a 27-point lead and seemed to let the pace of the game go a little bit. Ellis said that may have been the first time his young team showed its age.

“We kind of get a little frantic in the game and shots go open,” said Ellis, “versus understanding that at that point in time we just hold the possession tight and let the clock go.”

Thanks to the cushion they built in the third quarter, the slip-up in the fourth only decreased Liberty’s lead down to 14 at its tightest moment.

The other leading scorers for the Bison included sophomores Jayden Derla with 10 points, Jaden Ortega with 13, and junior Manny Nazario with 11. Casius Nyle also led the team in boards with eight on the night.

As the inaugural season for the school in varsity sports, the team plays with no seniors on their roster. Ellis said, more than anything, the age of his team makes him excited to know they will all be back next year.

“We’re excited to represent our area,” said Ellis. “Not only excited for CIF, but for the next year and what the future holds for this team. I feel a little spoiled as a coach.”

But this year might bring plenty of excitement in itself with the Bison boasting an undefeated record in league with just two games left on their schedule. The first of those is an away matchup at San Jacinto Monday night at 7 p.m.