The Liberty Center Tigers never trailed the entire 32 minutes as the #8 seeded Tigers upset the #1 seeded Tinora Rams on their home floor.

The Rams, entering the game with their best record, 17-4, since the 2008-’09 season, and a GMC Championship, welcomed in the 10-12 Tigers of Liberty Center.

A packed gym at Tinora High school saw the Tigers waste little time scoring as senior Gavin Geahlen’s left side bucket gave the Tigers an early 2-0 lead. In their initial meeting, a 46-35 Tinora win back on December 21, to start the Tigers season, Geahlen was held to just two points.

The remainder of the initial quarter was dominated by Liberty Center’s Ethan Gray. The sophomore Gray, averaging 9.2 PPG, threw in three three pointers, bucketing nine points as the Tigers outscored the Rams, 16-8 after the opening quarter.

Cam Robinson’s three-pointer midway through the second quarter gave the Tigers their biggest lead of the game, a 30-15 lead over the host Rams.

Josh Lieb and Adam Spychala’s buckets cut the Tigers lead to 30-19 with 1:45 in the opening half, but the Tigers Etan Gray continued his hot shooting with his fourth three pointer of the half for a 33-19 Liberty Center lead at the half.

Gray poured in 14 first-half points, while Tinora was paced by Spychala’s six points.

Tinora came out of the half as hot as the Tigers were in the initial half, Tinora scored the first six points of the half, trimming the Tigers lead down to seven.

Connor Welling started the Tinora comeback with a right baseline jumper, followed by an Adam Spychala left wing three, then a Welling runner in the lane suddenly the Rams were back in the game, trailing just 33-26 with just over six minutes in the third quarter.

Gavin Geahlin’s put back stopped the Tinora rally for the moment, 35-26 with 6:01 remaining. Adam Spychala would curt the Tigers lead down to 35-29 on his fourth three, 4:45 remained in the third stanza.

The Tigers Ethan Gray stopped the Rams run with another three, his bucket increased the Tigers lead to 40-29 with 3:45 in the quarter. Liberty Center would take a 45-34 lead through three quarters.

Connor Welling put the Rams offense on his back in the first two minutes of the final quarter. Welling driving to the basket on numerous occasions, hit the free throw line as Tinora cut the deficit to 47-42 with 6:45 remaining.

Gavin Gaehlen would again stop the Ram’s run on a follow-up bucket; his ninth point increased the Libert Center lead to 49-42 with 5:55 remaining.

Tinora would go cold over the next three minutes, the Rams failed to score a the Tigers began to put some space between them and the Rams on the scoreboard.

Liberty Center’s Garrison Kruse would take control of the game over the next three minutes, knocking down nine fourth quarter points.

Although the Rams cut the lead to 57-51 on two Josh Lieb free throws, Kruse put the game away on a huge steal and score with 45 seconds remaining. Kruse converted the tree point play with a foul shot, increasing the Liberty Center lead to 60-51 with 37 seconds in the contest.

Kruse would close the game at the line, the Tigers would come away with a 62-54 victory.

Liberty Center 16-17-12-17 = 62
Tinora Rams 8-11-15-20 = 54

Liberty Center scoring: Garber 2, Miller 9, Gray 22, Badenhop 0, Kruse 13, Rominson 7, Geahlen 9, Walker 0

Tinora scoring: Schaufele 0, Ferrell 5, Welling 13, Holier 4, Lieb 11, Hancock 2, Spychala 19

Liberty Center improves to 11-12 and will travel to Napoleon to take on Eastwood, who defeated Delta. The Game will be held at the Grand Canyon on Thursday evening, a 6 pm tip.

Tinora sees their magical season end at 17-5. The Rams brought home their first GMC title since 2011 and finished with their best record in 17 years.

Best wishes to the three-member senior class: Connor Welling, Alex Homier, and Adam Spychala.

The three seniors have elevated the program to a time unseen in a decade, best wishes, gentleman.

Thanks to all who tuned in to watch Tinora Rams live basketball this season, and a special thanks to all the great sponsors.

A thanks to Coach Fairchild, Dr AJ, Dr Logan for making this season fun!

Alex Homier interview with DCTV below:

Coach Lymanstall pregame interview with DCTV:

Watch back the game, click below: