Liberty gives LaBrae first defeat behind Kershaw

The Leopards standout scored 32 points in the 66-63 victory.
By JOHN BASSETTI
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
LEAVITTSBURG -- Not only did Liberty High get 32 points from Ed Kershaw, but it got the 32 minutes coach Burt Stellers wanted from his squad.
The combination was lethal for LaBrae (12-1, 6-1), which suffered a 66-63 Trumbull Athletic Conference loss and dropped from the unbeaten ranks.
"Tonight was a game of spurts between a really incredible team in LaBrae and a team in us that's showing a lot more consistency that we've got to keep building on," Stellers said.
"LaBrae was on a roll," he said. "We talked about it being too early to go two [games] down. So, this kind of evens everything up and brings them back, league-wise, with everybody. So, tonight was huge. We know that if you go two back with seven to go, it's hard to come back from that. LaBrae was 12-0 for a reason: Because the kids play so hard."
Vikings led early
LaBrae got off to a quick start with early leads of 14-8 and 23-17, but then Kershaw and Donovan Fletcher had a big role in changing the trend.
The force of Jeff Morgan's fadeaway basket that put the Vikings ahead, 29-28, also put him on his back.
But Liberty (9-4, 6-1) proceeded to score six straight points before halftime -- a free throw and putback by Fletcher and a 3-point goal by Kershaw.
"It was a game of runs all night," Stellers said.
The coach got the consistency that was missing.
"I just wanted them playing for 32 minutes. We struggled the other night at Newton Falls, execution-wise. Tonight, I thought we played hard which overcame some of our lapses, offensively."
Liberty seemed to get better as the game progressed.
Liberty played well
Not only was the 6-foot-5 Kershaw a force as a jumper and shooter, but the speed of Fletcher and John Humphrey and ball handling and passing of Mychal Doblanski were instrumental in the successful outcome.
Humphrey had 11 points and 10 rebounds, while Fletcher had eight rebounds, eight assists and seven points. Doblanski had 10 points.
"I know Ed and Mychal score a lot," Stellers said, "but guys like Humphrey, Fletcher and Lonnie Showers and gave us a huge spark in our pressure. Along with Ryan Gillum, who came off the bench, we were able to force some turnovers, some quick shots and get some transition buckets."
Of Liberty's 11 steals, Kershaw, Humphrey and Fletcher had three apiece. The Leopards had the advantage on the boards, 37-30.
Stellers didn't want Kershaw's defensive effort minimized.
"He did well at the point of our pressure, forcing LaBrae to make passes that they really wanted to make. He's 6-5 and his height and length make him about 6-7."
Hartman leads Vikings
LaBrae had four players in double figures with Danny Hartman scoring 18, Kyle Rowan 16, Mike Ryan 11 and Drew Bailey 10.
The 6-7 Mike Ryan had nine rebounds, while Rowan and Hartman grabbed seven apiece.
Coach Gregg Isler was complimentary of Liberty's overall play, especially its defense.
"We scored 63 but it was aggressive defense both ways. They play good defense. Their size is tough for us. They played well off the ball, defensively. It was just a good high school basketball game."
Isler's halftime second-half message was to get better execution from his players.
"But that's not easy when they're being that aggressive attacking, defensively, in the halfcourt like that," he said. "I thought we played pretty well, overall. A couple shots, a couple turnovers here and there would have made a difference."
Overall, Isler was pleased.
"I'd never apologize for being 12-1."
bassetti@vindy.com