High school boys basketball: Liberty hopes to slow down Widefield

The early lead in the Class 4A Metro boys basketball race will be decided Saturday when Pikes Peak No. 3 Widefield visits No. 4 Liberty.

Liberty (9-1, 4-0) relies on two younger players for most of its scoring, while the defending league champ and 2007 state semifinalist Gladiators (9-1, 4-0) use a balanced attack powered by three standout seniors.

It promises to be fast-paced game at 7 p.m.

The Lancers have two of the better younger forwards in the area in junior Matt Trimpey (17.3 points per game) and sophomore Wes McKenzie (16 ppg). Coach Jim Masterson relies on seniors Seth Thompson and Taylor Barnes as leaders.

Liberty will be tested by a more-experienced Widefield squad, which is led by seniors Dion Vaughn (17.4 ppg), Julien McCollum (16.9 ppg) and Drew Felton (12.1 ppg).

Widefield coach Mark Muñoz relies on McCollum and senior guard Sean Farrior as captains but has seen others step up at key moments.

“It’s easy to lead when you’re up 20, but when there’s a little bit of adversity, that’s when you need leadership,” said Muñoz after a 85-81 win at Falcon on Tuesday night.

While not as deep as last year, Widefield’s three leading scorers return from a team that swept Liberty.

“Last year we were really intimidated by Widefield,” McKenzie said. “I just think we need to come in confident and play the way we do and we can pull out a victory.”

McKenzie also said fastbreak points off an aggressive defense will be key. Liberty’s defense, anchored by guard Justin Lukso, has allowed an average of just 53 points per game this season.

Liberty must convert the turnovers it forces to keep up with Widefield, which averages 73.8 points per game. Liberty scores 63.8.

“We just got to be in their face, play physical and just hope they miss some shots,” Thompson said.

Masterson said his Lancers will press the Gladiators as usual and hopes those turnovers jump-start Liberty.

“It’s going to be a very high-scoring game,” Masterson said. “Both teams like to press, to trap and to run, and I guess whoever has any gas left in the end, that will be the victor.”