GALT, CA (MPG) - The Liberty Ranch Hawks continued their impressive league campaign with a commanding 62-33 victory over cross-town rival Galt on their home court, improving to 7-0 in league play. What started as a competitive rivalry game quickly turned into a showcase of the Hawks’ balanced attack and suffocating defense.

Liberty Ranch set the tone early, jumping out to a 12-5 lead in the first quarter and never looking back. The Hawks extended their advantage to 27-11 by halftime, effectively putting the game out of reach before the Warriors could find their offensive rhythm. By the end of three quarters, Liberty Ranch had built a commanding 48-22 lead, cruising to the 29-point victory.

Junior Arjun Nigam led the Hawks’ balanced scoring attack with 12 points, while junior Ryan Ogas added 13 points to pace the offense. The duo provided consistent scoring throughout the game, keeping Galt’s defense off balance. Sophomore Conrad Dixon contributed eight points and was a force on the boards, while senior Daniel Wilks added seven points along with his typical all-around effort.

One of the game’s most inspiring performances came from senior Charles Mejia, who made a significant impact on the defensive end when his number was called. Mejia finished with seven points but his contribution went far beyond the stat sheet.

 

Galt’s Hunter Hileman makes his way into the key to shoot.

“Man, I just wanted to play harder for my coaches,” Mejia said after the game. “I wanted to show everybody what I could do, and I wanted to get this win for us. We’re 7 and 0, and I just wanted to close out the game. We were really working together, passing and running the plays.”

Senior Derek Nelson chipped in five points, while senior Everett Dixon added four. The Hawks’ depth was on full display as freshman Isaac Gonzalez and sophomore Jax Gehrke each contributed three points, demonstrating the program’s bright future.

For Galt, the offensive struggles were evident from the opening tip. The Warriors managed just five points in the first quarter and six in the second, unable to find any rhythm against Liberty Ranch’s aggressive defense. Junior Garrett Rose led Galt with 15 points on 6-of-12 shooting, showing flashes of the Warriors’ potential. Rose was efficient from the free-throw line, converting all three of his attempts, and was the only Galt player to reach double figures.

Junior Bryan Villalobos provided a spark with six points, including two three-pointers, while senior Karlos Cornejo and sophomore Cooper Cagle each added four points. The Warriors shot just 33 percent from the field and struggled from beyond the arc, connecting on only two of nine three-point attempts.

 

Warrior Garrett Rose finds a hole in the defense.

Despite the lopsided final score, Galt Head Coach Hunter Johnson saw positive signs in his team’s second-half performance.

“I think across the board, all three levels showed up and competed today,” Johnson said. “We fell a little bit short, but it is a year of a work in progress. We came in and we didn’t score over five points in either of the first two quarters, and we scored 11 in both of the third and fourth quarter. I think Liberty knows that in a year or two they’re going to have somebody to worry about.”

Johnson’s optimism is well-founded. While the Warriors struggled early, their ability to match Liberty Ranch’s scoring in the second half (22-22) showed resilience and growth. Galt’s young roster, featuring several sophomores in key roles, gained valuable experience against the league’s top team.

The Warriors were hampered by 15 turnovers and struggled to generate second-chance opportunities, grabbing just two offensive rebounds compared to Liberty Ranch’s more aggressive approach on the glass. Galt did show some bright spots, dishing out 10 assists as a team, with Rose leading the way with three helpers.

For Liberty Ranch, the victory was a complete team effort that showcased why it sits atop the league standings. The Hawks’ ability to score from multiple positions, combined with their defensive intensity, makes them a formidable opponent for any team in the league. Their 27-11 halftime advantage was built on relentless pressure and smart-ball movement, principles that Mejia emphasized in his postgame comments.

 

Liberty Ranch’s Jax Gehrke puts it in the hoop.

As Liberty Ranch continues its pursuit of a league championship with a perfect 7-0 record, games like this demonstrate their readiness for the challenges ahead. For Galt, the experience of competing against the league’s best will prove invaluable as the young Warriors continue to develop and build toward future success.

The cross-town rivalry may have been one-sided on this night, but both coaches and players understand that rivalry games are about more than just one result. They’re about pride, growth and the continuous pursuit of excellence. Liberty Ranch proved it’s the team to beat right now, while Galt showed it’s building something special for the future.

 Additional photos of the game can be found at photopaige.smugmug.com.

 

Hawk Charles Mejia gets some air to shoot.