Season Preview: Liberty North
When thinking of key elements to build an elite team around, usually a supreme post player ranks atop the list.
Liberty North can check that off the list.
The Eagles return a solid cast for 2015-16, led by senior Michael Hughes. The 6-foot-8, 275-pound center averaged a double-double with 14.4 ppg, 12.0 rebounds along with a ridiculous 4.7 blocks and 59.7% from the floor. Which is why Hughes signed a letter of commit to Akron this fall and is named to 810 Varsity’s first-team in 2015-16.
“Michael has meant a ton to our program,” stated Liberty North head coach Chris McCabe. “On the court, he has been as dominating as a high school player can be in stretches. He will set marks in our record books that will be hard to break. I truly believe that his best basketball is ahead of him and he has the opportunity to shine this year and once he arrives on campus at Akron.
“He is one of the top players in the metro because of his physical presence. Within his presence though he has a skill set that is hard to find. He is a willing and capable passer and can knock down shots, including three’s. He is hard to guard and guards really hard and has a terrific defensive presence and the best shot blocker I have ever seen.”
Also returning is senior guard Michael Wansing, an all-conference honorable mention in 2014-15. He averaged 7.5 ppg while hitting 80.5% from the free-throw line.
Others include seniors Garrett Burns, Quentan Sandeford, Griffen Myers and Matt Long, along with juniors Dominic Fragola, Nick Coleman, JD Braden and Joe Barry, and sophomores James Perry and Robbie Hanson.
“Offensively, our team will be more versatile than we have been in the past,” touted McCabe. “ All five guys that we put on the floor at any given point will have the opportunity to score. Michael will draw a lot of defensive eyes, so the ability of other guys to knock down shots and make plays will be vital to our success.
“Defensively, over the last five years we have been really solid in almost all facets. We have a better ability to guard the ball than we have in the past, which might create more tempo for us offensively. Michael in the middle blocking shots and rebounding creates challenges for everyone we see.”
