Everyone pitches in as Liberty girls defeat Perris, 60-22

Chayce McCoy goes up for two of her 13 points scored against Perris on Wednesday. (Staff photo)

By Paige Mendez, Correspondent

The Liberty High girls basketball team won its matchup Wednesday night against Perris High, 60-22. That improves the Bison’s record to 7-5 overall and 2-1 in the Mountain Pass League.

After a first quarter full of Liberty steals and Perris turnovers, the Bison were off with the lead quickly and never gave it up. Outscoring their opponent 40-10 by the half, Liberty had the game all but decided at the break.

Only three players from the Perris roster had points on the board. Sophomore Carina Castaneda led the team with 12 points and four rebounds of her own — most of which came in the second half. Aside from Castaneda’s contributions, Perris struggled against Liberty’s full-court press and gave the ball over more than 30 times on the night.

On the other side of the court, Bison sophomore Chayce McCoy found a way to capitalize on those Panther turnovers. She said her 13 points (11 of which came in the first half alone) left her feeling good about her performance, considering that she was on the freshman team just last year.

“It feels good because I know I’ve improved a lot since last season,” McCoy said, adding that she hasn’t felt intimidated by her new role as a leader on the team.

She also contributed six steals on the night, joined on the leaderboard by junior Alex Barajas, who had seven steals and eight points.

Among the nine players on the Bison roster, each one saw time on the court and made at least one basket. Head coach Fred Yepez said this was his goal for the night and that he had intended to make this game an opportunity to practice what each athlete needed to work on.

“For us [tonight] was about working things to get better and progress during the season,” Yepez said. “I’m not really concerned about the wins and losses, this being our first year here. We’re just putting a foundation in to get ready for next year.”

As far as that improvement goes, Yepez said his choice for most improved player on the night would be sophomore Taylor Perkins, who had two steals and eight points.

“She made good decisions with the ball,” said Yepez of Perkins’ performance. “Usually in practice I’m getting after her, but today she made the right decisions and, for me, it was a blessing to see that.”

With a roster that includes just a couple athletes with basketball experience prior to this year and with no seniors, this really is a team working to set the groundwork at the school. It is what Yepez hopes is a foundation for the squads that will come play here in future seasons. His hope is that the community sees his team developing as leaders — on and off the floor.

McCoy hopes her team is recognized for the work they are putting in to set up future success.

“It’s a small team, but it’s going to get bigger,” said McCoy. “We’re going to get better very soon.”

The Bison will continue league play Friday night at San Jacinto High.

Desirae Knox (12) tries to control the ball in the midst of a crowd in the first half. (Staff photo)

 Taylor Perkins is all alone for a layup during Liberty's big win. (Staff photo)

 Kelli Harris-Wellman puts up a shot over a Perris defender in the second half. (Staff photo)