By Joey LoMonaco March 2 at 12:18 PM

Moments after his team dethroned reigning 5A North region champion Wakefield with a 62-59 win Saturday night in Arlington, Freedom-Woodbridge Coach James West turned to social media to rebuff proclamations of a landmark upset.

Is it really an upset we played the tuffest [sic] schedule in public schools in Va in order to prepare for this moment? West wrote on Twitter. Chess, not checkers.

Viewed in that light, regular-season blowout losses to OConnell (42 points), Montrose Christian (23 points), St. Christophers (25 points) and Riverdale Baptist (38 points) were simply the Eagles early-game pawn sacrifices made to open up the board for the final few moves of a postseason push.

Saturday, Freedom (14-11) fell behind 25-11 after the first quarter and trailed the Warriors 38-31 at halftime.

What I told them was, Well, its how the seasons gone, West recalled. The calls werent in our favor. But we love playing in other peoples homes, to turn their crowd against them and make them cheer for us based on our passion.

The Eagles turned the tide of the game by keeping things fluid on defense. To minimize the impact of vaunted big man Dominque Tham, whom West called a great player, Freedom alternated among five different sets, or segments. When Wakefield counter-punched, the Eagles remained one step ahead with multiple traps designed to pressure the Warriors guards on the perimeter.

Senior guard Frank Agyemang led the Eagles with 22 points and seven rebounds, and Abraham Pringle helped Freedoms output with 11 points.

The squads renaissance has come without its leading scorer and floor general. Earlier this month, senior guard Capri Manning was dismissed from the team for academic reasons. In his stead, junior James West IV the coachs son has moved into the point guard spot.

Hes comfortable there, having played the position with regularity on the AAU circuit and doesnt mind having fewer scoring opportunities.

Continued here:

Well-tested Freedom-Woodbridge boys basketball knocks off top seed Wakefield