Mesa Legend - Sports - ‘Freebird’ soaring high for T-birds

‘Freebird’ soaring high for T-birds
Nick Kosmider
Mesa Legend
Just under a minute into the Thunderbirds Feb. 24 game against Arizona Western, Gabe Freeman set the tone for his team with an emphatic rejection of AWC center Edvaldo Lima. The block was part of a stat line that included 28 points and 10 rebounds that helped lead the T-birds to a thrilling 91-87 win over the Matadors, snapping the 15-game winning streak of the 11th ranked team in the nation.
After the game, head coach Alton Lister had high praise for the sophomore from McClintock High School.
“Gabe played extremely well tonight,” said Lister. “He is just a tremendous player who struggled with injuries earlier in the season, but now he is back and playing great basketball.”
The win, though, did not come for the T-birds without some tense moments. After a three-point play from Adam McCoy, the Thunderbirds led 84-76 with just 1:26 to go in the game, but three consecutive MCC turnovers, forced by full court pressure, led to six straight Matador points to cut the lead to 84-82 with 53 seconds to go.
After two free throws from MCC’s Jesse Childs, Matador forward Matt Gonzales hit a three to cut the game to one.
After two missed free throws by Childs, AWC had a chance to take the lead but were unable to convert on a jump shot. Childs collected the rebound and was then fouled. He then converted on the free throws to push the lead to 88-85.
The Matadors still had a chance to tie the game, but Childs, who set the tone for his team’s defense in the second half, stole the ball with just eight seconds remaining to ice the win for the Thunderbirds, who won for the seventh consecutive time.
After the win, Lister spoke highly of his team’s effort.
“We have been playing real well lately,” said the MCC coach, “We are peaking at the right time and everybody is sticking together and believing we can win.”
Adam McCoy was a key contributor to the MCC offense, as he scored 24 points on 7 for 12 shooting including 5 three-pointers. McCoy was also a perfect 5 for 5 from the free throw line.
Childs helped lead a strong offensive second half as he finished with 21 points and 6 assists.
Lister is convinced his Thunderbirds can continue their winning ways.
“We want to win the rest of our games so we can be playing our best possible basketball going into the playoffs.”
The Thunderbirds have now taken the lead in the race for the final playoff spot in the ACCAC. The playoff times and locations are yet to be determined but will begin later this week.