Tensions were understandably high Friday night at Freedom in a Northwestern 3A\/4A Conference boys basketball tournament title game pitting a pair of teams in the top six in the state poll who had claimed every championship in the current league alignment since 2013-14. <\/p>\n
Oddly given their recent success which includes a combined 16 state playoff wins and three regional berths over the last three years this was the first time in that span that the Patriots met Hickory for the NWC tourney title, making the bragging rights between the rivals worth that much more. <\/p>\n
In the end, the home team won for a fourth straight time in the head-to-head series as Freedom staved off a pair of Red Tornadoes rallies from double digits behind in a 75-68 victory. <\/p>\n
In its eighth straight win since a loss at Hickory, No. 1 seed Freedom (24-2) led 13-3 barely three minutes into the game on the strength of two buckets by Tobias Kanipe in the post (both assisted by Jakari Dula) and 3-pointers from Dula, Alex Lineberger and Fletcher Abee. <\/p>\n
But the No. 3 seed Tornadoes surged to an 18-17 advantage late in the opening period, and the rest of the half featured four more lead changes with three ties, including one at 33-all at halftime. <\/p>\n
In similar fashion to his first-round performance Tuesday, Lineberger lifted the team on his shoulders early in the second half. He scored the first four points of the third period as part of an initial 9-0 scoring run, then decided to test his range. <\/p>\n
Lineberger pulled up from about 25 feet for a bomb that made it 45-35 and about two minutes later, drilled one from at least 30 feet out while standing on the volleyball stripe near midcourt to prompt a Hickory timeout at 50-38. <\/p>\n
Where exactly was Lineberger shooting the latter 3 from? <\/p>\n
From the parking lot, Dula said, laughing. I knew he was shooting. He hit the first one (from a few feet closer), and I was like, Coach, hes pulling. And he hit it. But I knew he was going to. He can hit them from out there. <\/p>\n
Some spotty Freedom foul shooting allowed Hickory to climb back within 58-55 with 3:40 left, and the margin was just 70-68 with 34 seconds to play until Abee made 5 of 6 at the stripe to secure the win. <\/p>\n
It was the third time in the last six seasons that FHS has won both its league regular-season and tourney crowns. <\/p>\n
I thought we made a lot of tough plays tonight, Freedom coach Casey Rogers said. Everyone knows how much we value toughness. We rebounded it very well defensively, one of the real keys when you play them. I think that was a program-type win. <\/p>\n
Kanipe was named all-tournament after leading Freedom and tying a career-high with 20 points (13 in first half) as well as tying Lineberger for top honors with eight rebounds. He has scored in double figures in eight of the last nine games and elevated his play after teammate Aidan Pearson was lost for the season due to injury. <\/p>\n
I think winning tournament was more important (than regular season). It might have been harder, Kanipe said. It came down to us making stops and rebounding. <\/p>\n
I took (the increased role this year) as, Ive got to step up and do what I need to do to help this team win, practice harder, play my best, and thats what I did. <\/p>\n
Dula (18 points, four assists) was named tourney MVP, and Abee (15 points, five steals) was named all-tourney as well. Lineberger added 18 points with two assists and two steals and fellow senior Cam Edmonson grabbed six rebounds (five in second half). <\/p>\n
This is my last year, Lineberger said. I know for us as seniors, well do what it takes for us to grind it out and go get (a state title). <\/p>\n
As they aim that direction, FHS figures to have the advantage as a high seed of staying at home for several games if they keep winning. And the Patriots havent lost at home this season. <\/p>\n
Hopefully that trend continues, Rogers added. Well take this weekend, come in and have a good prep, find out who weve got (in the first round) and be ready to go Tuesday. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The rest is here:<\/p>\n
Freedom boys outlast Hickory for NWC tourney title - Morganton News Herald<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Tensions were understandably high Friday night at Freedom in a Northwestern 3A\/4A Conference boys basketball tournament title game pitting a pair of teams in the top six in the state poll who had claimed every championship in the current league alignment since 2013-14. Oddly given their recent success which includes a combined 16 state playoff wins and three regional berths over the last three years this was the first time in that span that the Patriots met Hickory for the NWC tourney title, making the bragging rights between the rivals worth that much more. In the end, the home team won for a fourth straight time in the head-to-head series as Freedom staved off a pair of Red Tornadoes rallies from double digits behind in a 75-68 victory. Continue reading