PICKENS — Leading by as many as 19 points in the second quarter of their matchup with Pickens last Wednesday, the Liberty High School boys’ basketball team looked to be on its way to a big victory.

However, the Blue Flame settled in behind a standout effort from Shepherd Smith to regroup and cut the lead to 46-39 going into the final quarter. Needing a strong finish to keep their early season winning streak alive, the Devils locked in defensively to hold Pickens to just seven points in the fourth quarter as they pulled out a 60-46 win.

“I told them it’s a frustrating win,” Liberty head coach Brenden Marcell said. “We were on the cusp of really breaking that thing open when we got the lead up

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