Eagle Ridge boys claim state crown

The Eagle Ridge Christian boys basketball team claimed its third Missouri Christian School Athletic Association Class 1A championship on Saturday with a 57-41 victory over top-seeded Liberty Christian in the title game in Joplin, Mo.

The second-seeded Eagles avenged a pair of losses administered by Liberty Christian of Wright City, Mo., during regular-season play in the Metro Athletic Conference.

"They beat us by double figures both games, so it was a huge turnaround for us," Eagle Ridge coach Andrew Mellies said. "We came out today, had a good game plan and were ready to play."

Eagle Ridge (15-9) went 3-0 in the eight-team state tournament to win its first title since 2010, when it claimed its second consecutive championship. The Eagles also defeated Rivers of Life and El Dorado in this year's tournament.

Lane Henson scored a game-high 19 points against Liberty Christian, while Josh King added 15 points and Josh Friedrich netted 14.

Eagle Ridge opened an 18-9 lead after one quarter and led 28-17 at halftime. The Eagles took a comfortable 41-20 lead into the fourth quarter.

Henson and King both were named first-team all-state, while Friedrich was selected second team.

Eagle Ridge 18 10 13 16 -- 57

Liberty Christian 9 8 3 21 -- 41

EAGLE RIDGE (57) -- Richard Mason 2, Lane Henson 19, Josh King 15, Gabe Henson 2, Josh Friedrich 14, Uzziah Beggs 2, Jordan Cliff 3. FG 15, FT 11-15, F 16. (3-pointers: Henson, Cliff. Fouled out: King, Friedrich)

LIBERTY CHRISTIAN (41) -- Caleb Bagby 3, Cameron Bagby 4, Luke Brunning 3, Brendan Dixon 5, Calvin Edwards 6, Tanner Meyer 14, Jake Pietzman 6. FG 15, FT 8-17, F 17. (3-pointers: Dixon, Meyer 2. Fouled out: Tanner Meyer)