Liberty Boys
Liberty Boys
Veterans , new players dot Raiders roster
By Dave Morrison for the register-herald
Though his team is small in numbers , Liberty coach Chad Williams says his team is not short on talent , with a mix of three seniors back and key young players ready to assume major roles this season .
Only 11 players showed up to the initial practice and while the number was concerning to Williams , he still has faith the Raiders can contend in the newly reclassified Class AA Region 3 .
A few more trickled in over the next few days as players served as recruiters to their fellow classmates in school .
“ When you think back to when you played it used to mean something to be one of the players picked to be on the team , to represent your community , to go out there with your buddies and play the game and try to get to the state tournament ,” Williams said , discussing the low turnout at early practice .
“ It doesn ’ t mean what it used to mean . But it does to the guys we have out here and when I look at our situation and the region , I think our kids have a chance to do something special .
“ We have to avoid illnesses and injury , something that has hurt us in the last few seasons . But if we do that , if we have a little bit of good luck on our side , I like this team .”
While the Raiders finished just 4 – 17 last season , Williams said the senior trio of Kris Bowman , Riley Marty and Jaden Acord were ready to step up and take leadership roles on the team .
“ Those guys are our leaders ,” Williams said . “ They ’ ve been through the varsity experience ; they know what to expect and they will do a good job of preparing our younger players on what to expect .”
20 • WV SOUTH BASKETBALL
Rick Barbero / The Register-Herald
Liberty ’ s Riley Marty ( 12 ) battles Cooper Ridgeway , of James Monroe , for a rebound during the New River CTC Invitational held at the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center .
All three were outstanding athletes in other sports — Bowman and Marty playmaking receivers in football , Acord a state meet qualifier in cross country .
Bowman is Williams ’ leader on the court , and he averaged 9.3 points and 4.9 rebounds .
“ He does a great job of relaying what I want and making sure it happens on the court ,” Williams said . “ He has always been that guy who was happy to set up the offense and be a leader on defense . He doesn ’ t have a lot of faith in his shot . We ’ re trying to get him in the mindset to be more of a scorer , and if he has an open shot take it .”
Marty is the best athlete of the bunch , his coach said . He averaged 11 points and six rebounds per game .
“ Overall , I would say that ’ s true ,” Williams said . “ He rebounds well , sees the whole floor , can get to the basket when he wants to . The key for him is when a team tries to speed it up not let his brain speed up with it . If he does that , he ’ ll be our leader on offense and defense .”
Williams said Acord is a shooter , but he also had six double-doubles in a season that saw him average 13.3 points and 7.5 rebounds
“ His range is right up to the 3-point line ,” Williams said . “ When you see him pull up you just get the feeling that good things are going to happen .”
The senior three will likely be joined in the lineup by a pair of freshmen , Jaxson Workman and Liam Daniels .
Workman , son of football coach Mark Workman , was the starting quarterback this season . He was injured in Week 2 but returned the final three weeks and threw for over 700 yards and seven touchdowns .
At 6-foot-2 , 227 pounds , he is a big body inside and he has the skills , Williams said .
“ He has exceptional footwork for a big man ,” the coach said . “ His footwork is what you would expect to see from a junior or senior . He is developing a shot which will make him a better player . But he can play with his back to the basket which is something we haven ’ t had around here since we had Andrew Drennen ( in 2022 ).”
Another freshman likely to start is Liam Daniels . Williams did not hesitate to praise the young 6-foot standout .
“ He ’ s going to be really good ,” Williams said . “ I would compare him to A . J ( Williams , the coach ’ s nephew ), maybe not in his overall game right now but definitely in athleticism and basketball IQ . He ’ s a better shooter . He ’ s going to be a scorer ; he ’ s going to be a rebounder and he is going to defend . And he is confident in his game .”
He also has a bonus this year : none other than AJ Williams , who would have gone down as one of the all-time Raider greats had he not had about two full seasons taken away by injuries , is back as an assistant coach .
Landon Lusk will also push for significant minutes .
Depth will be developed in preseason practice . Sophomore Ben Harper and freshman Parker Hodges and Zay Davis are slated to see varsity minutes .