Basketball Recap: Freedom Makes It Eight in a Row at Home

Freedom lost to Liberty back in January of 2024, but they didn't allow them the same satisfaction on Tuesday. The Freedom Falcons secured a 50-45 W over the Liberty Lions. Given the Falcons' advantage in MaxPreps' California basketball rankings (they are ranked 156th, while the Lions are ranked 521st), the result wasn't entirely unexpected.

Multiple players turned in solid performances to lead Freedom to victory, but perhaps none more so than Eve Monzon, who posted 15 points in addition to seven boards and four steals. Monzon is on a roll when it comes to steals, as she's now grabbed two or more in the last nine games she's played. The team also got some help courtesy of Ariel De La O, who put up 13 points along with five boards and five steals.

Freedom smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 22 offensive boards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least 20 offensive rebounds in three consecutive matchups.

Several Lions players turned in solid performances despite ultimately coming up short. Perhaps the best among those players was Maggie Lind, who went 5 of 7 on her way to 14 points. The dominant performance gave Lind a new career-high in points. The team also got some help courtesy of Shyanne Smith, who had 16 points in addition to five rebounds and three steals.

Falcons

Previous Games (Home)

01/07/25 vs Liberty	50-45
01/04/25 vs Amador Valley	53-31
12/19/24 vs Rio Vista	64-25
12/17/24 vs Heritage	51-49
12/07/24 vs Foothill	52-20
+ 3 more games

Freedom pushed their record up to 12-5 with the win, which was their eighth straight at home dating back to last season. Those victories came thanks to their offensive performance across that stretch, as they averaged 52.9 points per game. As for Liberty, they moved to 6-8 with that defeat, which also ended their three-game winning streak.

Both teams will have to hit the road in their upcoming games. Freedom will head out to challenge Pittsburg at 6:30 p.m. on Friday. Freedom is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 50.8 points per game this season. As for Liberty, they will venture away from home to take on Piedmont at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday.