GALT, CA (MPG) - In a game that came down to the final possessions, the Liberty Ranch Hawks demonstrated the poise and determination of a first-place team, grinding out a 50-47 victory over El Dorado on Tuesday night at home. The win keeps the Hawks perfect in league play at 5-0 and firmly atop the standings.

This was far from a pretty offensive showcase, but it was exactly the kind of game that reveals championship character. The Hawks shot just 28% from the field and struggled mightily from beyond the arc, connecting on only two of 29 three-point attempts. Yet when the shots weren’t falling, Liberty Ranch found other ways to win, dominating the glass with 35 rebounds and converting at the free-throw line when it mattered most.

Junior Ryan Ogas led the Hawks with 14 points on an efficient 6-of-13 shooting performance, providing the offensive spark his team desperately needed on a night when baskets were hard to come by. Ogas was particularly effective inside, making six of eight two-point attempts and adding two free throws. His ability to score in the paint proved crucial as Liberty Ranch’s perimeter game went cold.

 

Everett Dixon jumps sky high to block a throw.

The Dixon brothers provided the muscle in the middle that ultimately made the difference. Sophomore Conrad Dixon was a force on the boards, pulling down a game-high 12 rebounds, including seven offensive rebounds that gave his team critical second-chance opportunities. He added nine points and two blocked shots, altering several other attempts around the rim. Senior Everett Dixon contributed nine points and six rebounds while dishing out two assists and recording two steals.

Senior Daniel Wilks stuffed the stat sheet despite scoring just seven points, grabbing five rebounds, dishing out four assists and recording three steals. Wilks was also solid at the charity stripe, making five of six free throws.

Derek Nelson added six points and seven rebounds for the Hawks, while freshman Issac Gonzalez chipped in three points in limited minutes, showing the depth that could prove valuable as the season progresses.

The game was a defensive struggle from start to finish, with both teams battling through offensive droughts and relying on their defensive principles to stay in contention. Liberty Ranch’s ability to get to the free-throw line proved to be the difference, as the Hawks attempted 24 free throws compared to El Dorado’s more limited opportunities. The Hawks converted 14 of those attempts, a 58% clip that, while not spectacular, was good enough to provide the winning margin.

The three-point shooting woes were concerning for Liberty Ranch, as the team went 2-for-29 from deep, with Derek Nelson accounting for both makes. Senior guard Nelson was the only Hawk to find success from distance, hitting two of his 10 attempts. The rest of the team combined to go 0-for-19 from three-point range, a drought that could have been disastrous against a different opponent.

 

A closely guarded Derek Nelson manages to dribble down the court.

But the Hawks compensated for their perimeter struggles by attacking the basket and crashing the offensive glass. Their 18 offensive rebounds led to numerous second-chance opportunities, and their 15-for-32 shooting on two-point attempts (47%) was respectable given the overall offensive struggles both teams experienced.

The victory was a testament to Liberty Ranch’s maturity and resilience. In a game where nothing came easy, the Hawks found a way to execute when it mattered most, making enough plays on both ends of the floor to secure the three-point victory. The team’s nine assists against eight turnovers showed solid ball movement and decision-making, while their seven steals and two blocks demonstrated the defensive intensity that has become a hallmark of this squad.

As Liberty Ranch improves to 5-0 in league play, the Hawks have established themselves as the team to beat. The combination of strong rebounding, solid free-throw shooting when it counts and tenacious defense gives this team multiple paths to victory.