EJ’s High School Career Synopsis

Elijah "EJ" Pyers, Liberty High School 2020-2022

Dear Family and Friends,

My second child graduated from High School .. hoody hoo! One more to go. Elijah “EJ” made us very proud every minute, in the classroom and on the court. His hard work and dedication duly rewarded with an outstanding Senior year and an excellent high school career.

On Dec 5th, 2020 - EJ and loaded up our cargo trailer and moved out to Arizona to escape the commie tyranny and lunacy of California. It was either Florida or AZ and so we settled on AZ we could make it back to the family in Escondido more often.

Thus, we made the very difficult decision to move to AZ and embark on a new path for EJ's high school career, right in the middle of it; in hindsight it could have not have turned out much better.

Liberty was a fantastic program, school, and we found a Dave Lynch archetype, Mark Wood. A great person, coach and leader - who has established a basketball program that is of high character and high performance and which helps his young men far beyond basketball. For me and the family, it was an exciting and fun 2 years of basketball - and being in AZ allowed his grandparents and family and friends to attend. Many of my former teammates and friends from AZ and "the Canyon" also were able to come watch EJ and the Liberty Lions play “The Game” we love.

Give me Liberty! Great fans in the Student section!

The 2022 Liberty team, after losing 9 excellent seniors from 2020-21 team, perhaps the best Liberty basketball team in history, it was expected to be a rebuilding season for the Lions. EJ was the only returning starter. Two key returning players that contributed heavily on the 20-21 squad, both stellar 3 and D players, Davis Hester (Jr.) and Trevor Owens (Sr.), were expected to take on the roles of team leaders. As fate would have it, Davis was seriously injured during summer league and would miss the 1st half of the ‘22 season, and Trevor would spend much of the season hindered by injuries and played in only about half of the games - had these two been healthy, it would have made what turned out to be a great Liberty season, even more impressive. The addition of two transfers, Nick Zimbito (hard nosed PG), and Ky Green (brother of NBA player Josh Green) gave us a talent boost, and the emergence of Jr. Caden Hunter as a top player in the State (after being injured most of his sophomore year) gave us hope!

Though our lack of experience and many new players showed at the start, by the end of the season the players and coaching staff did a great job of building an outstanding team that was competing for the State Title. We would win 6A Desert Valley Region for the 2nd straight year (Back to Back), finish 19-8 (9-1 conference) and a win in a State Tourney playoff game. EJ would finish his high school career with 4 section championships and (39-1) career record in conference play! (whoa!).

85% Free Throws as a Senior. 2nd in Conference.

EJ's 4 year varsity career included playing in 104 games and starting in 75 games. EJ’s team career record was 74-30. Liberty was 36-11 during EJ's tenure, winning the conference championship back to back and making the State Tournament both years. In the '21 AZ 6A State Tourney Liberty won vs Desert Vista (prior year’s State champ) and fell to Brophy Prep in final 8. In '22 we beat Chaparral but fell to Pinnacle at their place, finishing as one of the final 16 teams in State.

In '22, EJ was All-Conference honorable mention again and led the conference in assists for the second straight year, was 2nd in FT% at 85%, 4th in Steals, and 1st in Offensive Rebounding as PG. At the AZ State level he was 3rd overall in Assists, 1st in Offensive Rebounding for PG, and his two year total for assists led the AZ 6A State!

After steal, none much faster than EJ as he broke away!

There were many great moments throughout the season, including road wins @Pinnacle and @Boulder Creek, two excellent teams in their own right. EJ dominated the glass! vs Pinnacle and made clutch play after clutch play vs Boulder for what was possibly the biggest win of the year., on the road. Boulder Creek (3rd in our conference) would make it all the way to State Semi Finals, leading the entire game vs Hamilton, before losing on two of the most insane calls I have ever witnessed. The Pinnacle, Boulder Creek, Liberty games next season should be something to watch FOR SURE! – This ‘22 season those games were some of the BEST high basketball I have ever watched. Amazing level of play.

Family night @ Mountain Ridge.
Back Row: Grandpa, Grandma, Jazzy, Sarafina, Opa, Nana.
Front Row: “Bingo, 2 tickets to the front row”

I want to thank all of our friends and family that supported EJ throughout the high school phase of his journey. EJ's next chapter is just getting started. The Pyers, Sundstroms, Feitls, Paul Vaden, McIver's, Bill Dunn, Rudy Sanchez, Angel Delgadillo, The Cameltrotters, and many others that supported his significant efforts. Of course without Mom (Jazzy) and his soon to be star sister, Sarafina - his most loyal fans - the journey would not be complete. It goes without saying, that we appreciate Liberty High School and the Liberty basketball program for enabling Coach Wood to create such a stellar program.

Liberty - Best basketball fans in the universe …. Grace & Spencer sporting the EJ Fathead! Evan nearby :>)

Coach Wood wrote about EJ:

Pic: Coach agreeing with a referee’s call ;>)

"E.J. exemplifies the selflessness of the point guard position. His has a pass first mentality that has a way of setting up his teammates up for success. He holds the record in the program of the most assists in a game (13). We led the state in scoring back to back years. E.J.'s ability to set his teammates up in scoring positions was a big reason why.

E.J. has tremendous character. In the classroom and on the court, E.J. is trustworthy and dependable. He is a player who maintains his integrity regardless of the situation.....

Coach Mark Wood"

Liberty During EJ's career at Liberty he left his name in the record books while playing for only two seasons. His 4 year varsity stats would have been even more impressive!

EJ prepping lob for Ky Green off the backboard - with the “MJ” tongue wag! Throw down coming, LOOK out below!
Watch below or click the link EJ’s channel: EJ to Ky

EJ's Career impact @ Liberty High School - Records

#1 Highest Value Point Rating in a Career (1.80) - 2020-22

#1 Highest Value Point Rating in a Season (1.96) - 2020-21

#1 All Time Assist Leader - Average (5.2 apg)

#1 Most Assists in Game (13) vs Shadow Ridge ('21)

#2 All Time Assist Leader (243) - Total for 2 seasons

#2 All Time Season - Total (123) - 2021

Link to Liberty Varsity Basketball School Record Book: Liberty High School Men's Basketball - (Peoria, AZ) - powered by LeagueLineup.com

Below are the statistical details of EJ's Liberty career, details for those who follow in "Dave the Fan and Dan the Fan's footsteps, rolled up programs and all"

Thanks again for everyone's support over the past 18 years!!! It's a journey! Love you EJ!

God Bless to all my family friends and keep hooping - as Sarafina starts at Liberty next week maybe she is the next Paula Pyers? Enjoy some family pics, highlights from EJ’s season, and stats.

Senior night included a suprise from the David’s and Scotty McIver (#24 at GCU), and Grandma/Grandpa in the house!

A solid addition of team Feitl in town to watch Liberty and EJ put up big numbers!

"Give me Liberty!"

// The Wire

EJ has great vision under pressure. Always puts the ball in the right place, at the right time.

EJ's Senior Year in Video (his youtube channel playlist)

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQDSCrLQyukCHsIJkFaswFonSKl_OXmLk

2021-2022 Liberty Lions Varsity Basketball Team
Back Row: 40 Brennen Neal SG • Jr., 12 Davis Hester PG, SG • Jr., 42 Thomas Oughton C, PF • Sr., 32 Ky Green SG, PG, SF • Jr. • 6' 6" • 200 lbs., 20 Caden Hunter PF • Jr. • 6' 5", 44 Ring Nyeri PF, C • So., 22 Charlie Berry SF • Sr., 5 Trevor Daukas PG • Jr.
Front Row: 24 Trevor Owens PG, SG • Sr. • 6' 0", 10 Evan Woolery Sr., 30 EJ Pyers PG • Sr. • 5' 10" • 140 lbs., 34 Nick Zambito PG, SG • Jr. • 5' 10" • 160 lbs., 14 Landon Andersen PG • Sr.

EJ's Individual Statistics of Note For Career:

All-Region 6A Team - Honorable Mention (2021 and 2022)

Assists (6A Desert Valley - Conference)

1st - 2022: 4.3 assists

1st - 2021: 5.8 assists

Assists (6A - AZ State)

3rd - 2022: (117 assists)

1st - 2021: (123 assists)

1st - 2 year total (240) - 2021, 2022

Free Throws % (6A Desert Valley - Conference)

2nd - 2022: 85% (29-34)

Steals (6A Desert Valley - Conference)

4th – 2022: (55, 2.0 spg)

11th – 2021: (25, 1.5 spg)

eFG% (Effective Field Goal %)

13th - 2022 - (51%)

10th - 2021 - (53%)

2 Point %

12th – 2022 (52%) – 30/58

26th – 2021 (48/%) – 28/58

3 Point %

15th – 2022 (35%)

7th – 2021 (43%)

Offensive Rebounds

1st among all guards in Arizona 6A (Maxpreps)

5th – 2022 (50)

8th – 2021 (31)

Liberty Team Accomplishments

2021-2022 (Team Record 19-8 (9-1) Conference Champions)

1-- #1 in State of AZ in Scoring (80.9 points per game)

1 -- #15 in the Nation in Scoring (80.9 points per game). -- National Basketball Scoring - MaxPreps

2 -- #1 in State of AZ in 3 pointers (11.0 made per game)

2 -- #7 in the Nation in 3 Pointers (11.0 made per game) -- National Basketball 3-Point - MaxPreps

3 -- #5 in State of AZ in Assists PPG – (18.5 assists per game)

3 -- #75 in the Nation in Assists (18.5 assists per game) -- National Basketball Assists - MaxPreps

4-- #8 in the State of AZ in Steals per game (14.9 steals per game)

4-- #115 in the Nation in Steals for game (14.9 steals per game) - National Basketball Steals - MaxPreps

5-- #11 in the State of AZ in Rebounds per game (35.6)

5-- #354 in the Nation in Rebounds per game (35.6)

6 – Team record 2nd Most points ever in a single game (121). Last year’s team scored 124! Also scored 108 in basically 3 quarters.

7—Score over 100 points four times during the season! Multiple games played in 90's with running 4th quarter clock (mercy rule). No shot clock in AZ!

2020-2021 Liberty Varsity Basketball Team
Back Row: 40 Patrick Steitz G • Sr. • 6' 7", 14 Trevor Owens, G, SG • Jr. • 6' 0", 5 Brett Chappell G • Sr. • 6' 4" • 180 lbs, 12 Davis Hester G • So. • 5' 10"
Front Row: 34 Blake Johnson G • Sr. • 6' 5", 30 EJ Pyers G • Jr. • 5' 10" • 140 lbs, 20 Caden Hunter PF • So. • 6' 5", 10 Evan Woolery G • Jr. • 6' 0", 20 Sebastian Clancy SG • Sr. • 6' 4", 22 Miles Guliford G, SG • Sr. • 6' 1", 24 Aj Snow SG • Sr. • 6' 0", 50 Kaden Schiefelbein. G • Sr. • 6' 2". 32 Jared Cunningham G • Sr. • 6' 2", 44 Jacob Ayars G • Sr. • 6' 4"

Enjoy my recap from the 2020-21 Season at my blog: EJ Pyers - Liberty High School Basketball Recap 2020-21 Season — WiresWorld

2020-2021 (Team Record 17-3 (10-0 Conference - Conference Champs))

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!

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EJ’s High School Career Synopsis

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