Basketball Recap: Liberty Tree Academy Skates Past James Irwin with Ease

War Eagles

Margin (Wins)

01/08/25 vs Monument Academy	41
12/02/24 @ Manzanola	32
02/21/25 vs James Irwin	31
02/04/25 @ The Colorado Springs School	29
12/17/24 @ Deer Trail	23

Liberty Tree Academy had already won two in a row (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 20.5 points) and they went ahead and made it three on Friday. They claimed a resounding 69-38 victory over the James Irwin Jaguars. The War Eagles have made a habit of sweeping their opponents off the court, having now won nine matchups by 20 points or more this season.

Liberty Tree Academy found their leader in sophomore Wesley Rains, who dropped a double-double with 18 points and 14 rebounds. Those 14 boards set a new season-high mark for Rains. Kye Houser also deserves some recognition as he posted his first block of the season.

Liberty Tree Academy was working as a unit and finished the game with 22 assists. That's the most assists they've posted since the start of last season.

James Irwin's defeat shouldn't obscure the performances of Jonathan Kimble, who dropped a double-double with 22 points and 16 rebounds, and Abdoulaye Ballo, who posted 14 points along with eight boards and five blocks. Those five blocks gave Ballo a new career-high.

Liberty Tree Academy pushed their record up to 10-10 with the win, which was their third straight at home. Those victories came thanks in part to their offensive performance across that stretch, as they averaged 66.7 points over those games. As for James Irwin, they are on a seven-game losing streak that has dropped them down to 2-15.

Both squads are looking forward to the support of their home crowds in their upcoming games. Liberty Tree Academy will take on Pikes Peak Christian at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday. As for James Irwin, they will challenge Thomas MacLaren School at 7:00 p.m. on Monday. Thomas MacLaren School is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 55.9 points per game this season.