EJ Pyers - Liberty High School Basketball Recap 2020-21 Season
Dear Family and Friends,
Many of you followed the Liberty High School basketball season so some of you are aware of the teams and EJ’s progress. For you and everyone else, below is a recap and highlights of the season. Thanks to many of you who virtually attended the games (my entire family, Paul, Billy, Angel, ScottyMac, Boat, Roy, Coach Bland, Big Cheez, and many others). The love and karma was felt by all. Especially a shout out to Paul Vaden (PMV or “Baby Magic”) who helped EJ through his 8 month “winter” of lockdowns in CA by training him both in mind and spirit. (and special props to me as I had to play 1:1 every day, I was literally the wooden dummy and his only foe for months).
The season was extremely enjoyable and the boys played at a very high level all season. The Liberty team finished 17-3 (10-0 in League), beating last years AZ 6A State Champion in the Arizona 6A State Tournament Sweet 16 (Desert Vista) but finished by losing in the elite 8, to Brophy Prep (Cheez and I were able to attend – thanks for being there!). The season did not end how we would have liked but despite the unusual circumstances, short preparation window, no fans for most of the system, etc. etc. – the team excelled. A team of that included 9 seniors made it both a high level of basketball but also fun to watch them battle on one of the best Liberty teams in history. One of the most skilled and team orientated groups I have seen on any court, at any level, in a long time. Reminded me of the 2015 Warriors. The chemistry, ball sharing, the tremendous shooting and scoring ability, and the ability to explode in a quarter. Spectacular to watch and enjoy.
However; To just say it was a special season is easy – but below are the facts that PROVE it was a special TEAM and SEASON: A few of the Liberty Lions team records of note from this season:
Liberty Lions 2021 – Undefeated 10-0 in League Play, 6A Desert Valley Champions, Made to final 8 of the AZ 6A State Tournament
Note: First time defeating Pinnacle during regular season.
Note: Beat Desert Vista in Sweet 16 (last years AZ state 6A champion)
1-- #1 in State of AZ in Scoring (88.3 points per game)
1 -- #2 in the Nation in Scoring (88.3 points per game). -- National Basketball Scoring - MaxPreps
1 – School Record: Highest PPG in season ever for Liberty Team – (88.3 PPG)
2 -- #1 in State of AZ in 3 pointers (13.9 made per game)
2 -- #18 in the Nation in 3 Pointers (13.9 made per game) -- National Basketball 3-Point - MaxPreps
2 – School Record: 3 Pointers Made (13.9 made per game)
3 -- #2 in State of AZ in Assists PPG – (19.1 assists per game)
3 -- #35 in the Nation in Assists (19.1 assists per game) -- National Basketball Assists - MaxPreps
3 – School Record: Assists average per game (19.1 assists per game)
4-- #2 in the State of AZ in Steals per game (15.2 steals per game)
4-- #45 in the Nation in Steals for game (15.2 steals per game) - National Basketball Steals - MaxPreps
4—School Record: Steals per game (15.2 steals per game)
5 – School Record: Most points in a single game (124). Broke record 2x: scoring 110 points vs Dobson and then later breaking record with 124 points vs Kofa.
6—School Record: 44 points in a quarter (scored 40 or more 2x, over 30 multiple times). No shot clock in AZ!
7—School Record: Score over 100 points five times during the season, including the first round of the state playoffs!
On the individual front – EJ completed an excellent season. First, making the team and starting every game was an amazing accomplishment, transferring during the middle of the school year. EJ led the Liberty team in assists and 3 point percentage (no small feat with all these great shooters) and was the key facilitator for their incredible #2 in the Nation offense. Was fortunate to start every game as Junior (again, no small feat such a great and deep team of Seniors!).
Two articles highlighting EJ’s contributions to Liberty’s outstanding season; Some video provided below.
// The 6A Top Passers – EJ highlighted among the top point guards in the state - 6A: Top Passers | Prep Hoops
// Guiliford, Pyers a deadly duo for Liberty Basketball – A good write up on the Liberty starting backcourt. - ArizonaVarsity - Guliford, Pyers a deadly duo for Liberty basketball (rivals.com)
// Individually EJ had a few records of his own:
1—School Record 13 assists in one game (vs Shadow Ridge)
2—School Record 5.7 assists per game (20 games)
3—10 or more assists 3 times
4-- #3 in the State (6A) in Assists - 6A Basketball - Boy's Leaderboards | AZPreps365
5—Led team in 3 point percentage (45%)
6—Earned All-Region Honorable Mention - 6A Desert Valley
7—#1 in Assists for 6A Region
// ************** EJ Video Highlights for those with HUDL *************** //
--- 2 x 3 Pointers vs Desert Vista (AZ State Playoffs) - http://www.hudl.com/v/2FCG8T
--- 13 Assists vs Shadow Ridge (School Record) - http://www.hudl.com/v/2FAp04
--- 3 x 3 Pointers vs Dobson (3 for 3) - http://www.hudl.com/v/2F67vd
Special Thanks to Liberty Basketball Coach Mark Wood (coach of the year in my book), Coach Connor (yes, the Arizona high school coaching legend from Shadow Mountain and Horizon), Coach K, and the amazing staff at support teams at Liberty. The story how we arrived at Liberty? Coach Wood was a protégé of Ken Troutt, Jr. – Arizona basketball coaching and playing legend – and my coach at GCU in 1982-83. He recommended the Liberty program and introduced me to Coach Wood. Thanks Kenny! Coach Woods story with the Troutt background: ArizonaVarsity - Inside the Locker Room with Liberty coach Mark Wood (rivals.com)
Special thanks to A.J. Snow (our Warriors version of Draymond Green), who took EJ under his wing last summer and made a spot for him. A.J. was our “energy” for 2021! An amazing senior season and a bunch of clutch performances. Trevor Owens and Miles Guliford for being great friends to EJ this season and making him part of the team – and they were the Klay and Steph back to my Warriors analogy!
Thanks again for everyone who follow Liberty & EJ and made the season a fun and exciting one - and kept our minds off the hysteria.
"Games" – quotes/paraphrased from Jordan Peterson:
"Life is not a game. Even a game is not a game. Because most of the time a game is the beginning of a series of games. Winning a game and winning the championship are not the same thing. The reason for that is maybe to win a game, you let the star player make all the points? But if you want to win a championship, maybe the best thing is for the star player is to do everything he can to develop all the other team members? That is a different strategy. The reason it's different is because that strategy iterates across time."
"Teach your children how to play; it's the greatest gift." - Jordan Peterson
God Bless and much love,
The Wire (and family)
Liberty Links:
Liberty High School (Peoria, AZ) Varsity Basketball (maxpreps.com)