GALT, CA (MPG) - In Liberty Ranch High School’s preseason match against Sonora, things didn’t go well in the first half.

 The Hawks had accumulated a 15-point deficit by half and dropped to 18 behind during the first seconds of the second half. 

New Head Coach Phil Ricci made some adjustments at halftime and with some inspirational words, the Hawks fought back and tied the game with five minutes left in the fourth quarter, when Wyatt Blevins scored a free throw.  

It came down to the final seconds when Sonora had the ball and ran the clock down before scoring and pulling ahead 50-48. 

It was a good strategy because the Hawks were not able to score in the few seconds left.

Liberty has faced Sonora a few times in the past for the Sac-Joaquin Section Title. 

Ricci had to get the team to play with heart. 

“At halftime we made some adjustments and went to a different press,” explained Ricci. “We put more pressure on them, but those Sonora kids play year-round and have a phenomenal program. After our locker-room talk, the Hawks played with all heart and I am really proud of them. I know it wasn’t a victory, but we can really learn from this. This sounds so basic, but there is no ‘I’ in ‘team’ and we need all of us to be together. That is the culture I am aiming for: 100% together.”

Derek Nelson was the top scorer with 10 points (two of them 3-pointers), Elliot Hawker-9, Wyatt Blevins-7, Jojo Adams-5, Kobe Aguillen-5, Jimmy Lopez-4, Everett Dixon-4 and Charles Meija-2.