Liberty Charter girls on a perfect run

The Liberty Charter’s girls basketball program may only be seven years old, but its greatest strength — experience — helped the Patriots to a 22-0 record and a district title on the way to their third consecutive 1A Division I state tournament.

The Patriots’ short, successful history has been tarnished by two consecutive losses in the first round at state by Lapwai, their first-round opponent Thursday (1:15 p.m., Columbia High). Lapwai won by 23 in 2010 and by 42 last season.

“When we went (to state) two years ago, it was the mystique of Lapwai. My girls, having never been to a state tournament, were pretty much in awe,” Liberty Charter coach Mark Wachsmuth said. “We’re definitely excited about getting to play them again.”

The Patriots return all five starters from last season, and three seniors have been in the starting lineup since they were freshmen — Halee Schafer, Kendra Jensen and Emily Rainboth. Junior Alivia Wachsmuth, Mark’s daughter, also has been a fixture in the starting five since her freshman year. Rainboth and Wachsmuth lead the team in scoring at 10.9 points per game.

“As a freshman, going into state for the very first time was really intimidating. I played scared,” Alivia Wachsmuth said. “Now after proving to everyone and proving to myself what we’re capable of, there’s no fear anymore.”

Liberty Charter features a balanced, athletic team that loves to score in transition, and it will need to contain Lapwai’s explosive duo of Sierra Higheagle and Natahnee Spencer. High-eagle was a first-team All-Idaho selection last season while Spencer is the reigning state player of the year.

“(Spencer) can pretty much do everything. She can dribble, shoot, makes plays and she’s smart,” Alivia Wachsmuth said.

Rainboth agrees that avenging two past losses will not be easy.

“We know they come out strong and put a lot of pressure on us,” Rainboth said. “But we’re quick this year and we’ve learned a lot from those last two years playing them, so I think we’ll be ready.”

Seven of Liberty Charter’s players also played varsity volleyball, and the players’ chemistry carried over. That was apparent on the first day of practice.

“The speed of our practice, the execution, the understanding was just off the charts,” Mark Wachsmuth said. “I’ve never had a team where I could come in and do what we could do that first day and they all clicked very well, even with a couple new kids mixed in.”

The undefeated Patriots are confident in themselves and — with their continuity — hope change is in store for them against Lapwai.

“Our goal going into the season was to win every game, win the conference title, district title and the state title. So far, we’re on the right track to do those things,” Mark Wachsmuth said.

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Liberty Charter girls on a perfect run