The Liberty Charter\u2019s girls basketball program may only be seven years old, but its greatest strength \u2014 experience \u2014 helped the Patriots to a 22-0 record and a district title on the way to their third consecutive 1A Division I state tournament. <\/p>\n
The Patriots\u2019 short, successful history has been tarnished by two consecutive losses in the first round at state by Lapwai, their first-round opponent Thursday (1:15 p.m., Columbia High). Lapwai won by 23 in 2010 and by 42 last season. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we went (to state) two years ago, it was the mystique of Lapwai. My girls, having never been to a state tournament, were pretty much in awe,\u201d Liberty Charter coach Mark Wachsmuth said. \u201cWe\u2019re definitely excited about getting to play them again.\u201d <\/p>\n
The Patriots return all five starters from last season, and three seniors have been in the starting lineup since they were freshmen \u2014 Halee Schafer, Kendra Jensen and Emily Rainboth. Junior Alivia Wachsmuth, Mark\u2019s daughter, also has been a fixture in the starting five since her freshman year. Rainboth and Wachsmuth lead the team in scoring at 10.9 points per game. <\/p>\n
\u201cAs a freshman, going into state for the very first time was really intimidating. I played scared,\u201d Alivia Wachsmuth said. \u201cNow after proving to everyone and proving to myself what we\u2019re capable of, there\u2019s no fear anymore.\u201d <\/p>\n
Liberty Charter features a balanced, athletic team that loves to score in transition, and it will need to contain Lapwai\u2019s explosive duo of Sierra Higheagle and Natahnee Spencer. High-eagle was a first-team All-Idaho selection last season while Spencer is the reigning state player of the year. <\/p>\n
\u201c(Spencer) can pretty much do everything. She can dribble, shoot, makes plays and she\u2019s smart,\u201d Alivia Wachsmuth said. <\/p>\n
Rainboth agrees that avenging two past losses will not be easy. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe know they come out strong and put a lot of pressure on us,\u201d Rainboth said. \u201cBut we\u2019re quick this year and we\u2019ve learned a lot from those last two years playing them, so I think we\u2019ll be ready.\u201d <\/p>\n
Seven of Liberty Charter\u2019s players also played varsity volleyball, and the players\u2019 chemistry carried over. That was apparent on the first day of practice. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe speed of our practice, the execution, the understanding was just off the charts,\u201d Mark Wachsmuth said. \u201cI\u2019ve never had a team where I could come in and do what we could do that first day and they all clicked very well, even with a couple new kids mixed in.\u201d <\/p>\n
The undefeated Patriots are confident in themselves and \u2014 with their continuity \u2014 hope change is in store for them against Lapwai. <\/p>\n
\u201cOur goal going into the season was to win every game, win the conference title, district title and the state title. So far, we\u2019re on the right track to do those things,\u201d Mark Wachsmuth said. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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\nLiberty Charter girls on a perfect run<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"