GALT, CA (MPG) - The accolades continue to pour in for the Liberty Ranch Hawks boys basketball program. Following a perfect 14-0 league championship season, Head Coach Philip Ricci was voted SVC Coach of the Year by his peer coaches, while seniors Daniel Wilks, Derek Nelson and Everett Dixon, along with sophomore Conrad Dixon, earned All-League recognition.

Ricci’s Coach of the Year selection comes as little surprise to anyone who has watched him work. A Galt High School graduate himself, Ricci has built Liberty Ranch basketball into the standard of excellence in the SVC, earning the respect of players, coaches and fans across the league. His background as a professional basketball player gives him credibility in the gym that resonates deeply with his players, but it’s his ability to connect with young people – opposing players included – that truly sets him apart. When Coach Ricci offers a nod of respect or a pat on the back to an opposing player, you can see in their eyes how much it means. That is the mark of a man who transcends the game.

Ricci was characteristically humble in accepting the honor.

“I am very honored to be voted Coach of the Year by my peers in the SVC,” Ricci said. “I would like to give credit to my staff, parents, the administration and all the volunteers that help our program be great. Lastly, I want to give credit to my team for all the hard work they put in during the off-season and during our basketball season. When players are bought in and work as hard as they do in the classroom and on the court, it makes coaching easy.”

On the court, the numbers tell the story of a dominant team. Liberty Ranch averaged 60.7 points per game while generating 9.1 steals and 3.1 blocks per game on defense. The Hawks averaged 33.6 rebounds and 13.1 assists per game: numbers that reflect a team playing unselfish, disciplined basketball at both ends of the floor.

Senior Daniel Wilks led the team with 326 total points and 11.2 points per game, while also pacing the squad with 95 assists and 46 steals. His 3.3 assists and 1.6 steals per game made him the heartbeat of everything Liberty Ranch did offensively and defensively. His All-League selection was a fitting reward for an outstanding senior campaign.

Senior point guard Derek Nelson was equally impressive, totaling 312 points at 11.1 per game while shooting a team-best 76 percent from the free throw line. Nelson’s 73 assists and 117 rebounds reflected a complete player who impacted every aspect of the game. His 40% field goal percentage and ability to distribute and rebound made him one of the most difficult players in the league to defend.

Senior forward Everett Dixon rounded out the senior All-League trio with 256 points and 9.1 points per game. Dixon’s 49% field goal percentage and 148 rebounds demonstrated his dominance in the paint, while his 13 blocks added a defensive dimension that made Liberty Ranch’s interior nearly impossible to attack.

Sophomore Conrad Dixon was arguably the team’s most dominant force, earning All-League honors despite being just a second-year player. Dixon led the Hawks with a remarkable 64 percent field goal percentage, 202 rebounds, and 45 blocks: numbers that signal Liberty Ranch’s program will remain a powerhouse for years to come.

Junior Ryan Ogas contributed significantly with 65 assists and 41 steals, his playmaking and defensive energy proving invaluable to the Hawks’ perfect season.

For Ricci, a Galt graduate who has made his hometown proud time and again, the Coach of the Year award is the latest chapter in a story that continues to inspire the entire community. His professionalism, genuine care for young people and championship results have established him as one of the most respected coaches in the league.

For his players, the All-League honors are validation of countless hours invested in the gym. For the Liberty Ranch community, this season and these honors are something to be celebrated for years to come.