UNDEFEATED HAWKS WIN TOURNEY

CITRUS HEIGHTS — One streak continues but another came to an end for the Liberty Ranch High boys basketball team against a tough Amador squad at the Mesa Verde Challenge.

The Hawks started the game against the Buffalos in their usual fashion with their high-octane offense and full-court pressure defense. After Amador flexed its muscles on defense in the second quarter, Liberty Ranch picked up the pace to post an 89-57 victory on Saturday. The victory improves the Hawks to 10-0 for the season.

After jumping out to a 2012 lead in the first quarter, Liberty Ranch was guilty of committing many turnovers, mostly at midcourt or in transition, in the second quarter. That led to half of Amador’s 20 points, which trimmed the Hawks’ lead to 44-32 at halftime.

“We played OK against Amador,” said Liberty Ranch coach Josh Williams said. “We got up early, but let them hang around in the first half.”

In the third quarter, Liberty Ranch outscored Amador 24-13 for a 68-45 advantage going into the final quarter for the win.

Guard Jaime Gonzalez had a career-high 30 points for Liberty Ranch, which included five 3-pointers.

“Jaime played great,” said Williams of Gonzalez.

Another Hawks guard in Jalen Patterson followed in scoring with 17 points and Jayden Baroni 15 points. Joe Lopez had eight points, Chris Fielding and Patrick Roberts six each and Chandler Garcia five.

“Baroni also had a good game,” Williams said of the Hawks’ guard. “He did a little of everything like he usually does.”

Prior to Saturday’s game, Liberty Ranch had held its last five opponents to scoring under

50 points. The Hawks have kept seven of their 10 foes under the half-century mark this season.

Next for Liberty Ranch is the four-day 16th annual St. Hope Elite Hoop Classic, which will be played at West Campus High and Sacramento High that starts on Wednesday. The Hawks open against Pleasant Valley of Chico.

“This tournament will be a great challenge for us,” Williams said.

Contact reporter Mike Bush at mikeb@lodinews.com. Follow on Twitter: @MBushLodiSports.

MIKE BUSH/NEWS-SENTINEL Above: Liberty Ranch guard Jayden Baroni (5) takes the ball up the court past Amador foward Elijah Nixon (0) and guard Christopher Ruiz (3) during Saturday’s game. Below: Liberty Ranch guard Chandler Garcia takes the ball up the court.