The Liberty County Recreation Department senior boys All-Star team participated in the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association’s district two basketball tournament last weekend in Douglas and came home with a first-place trophy.

Led by head coach Sylvester Cooper and assistant coach Tangy Johnson, the boys played their first round against Ware County, taking a 73-39 victory. Faheem Bennett led the squad with 18 points and 9 rebounds. Byron Johnson added 16 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals. De’Andre Durden chipped in 15 points, 6 rebounds 3 assists and 3 steals, and J’arqual Roberts scored 13 points and got 5 steals.

The coaches said the entire team worked hard to secure the win.

"Now it’s time to see who really wants to walk away district champs," Cooper said. He and Johnson are preparing the squad for its second match against Wayne County.

The team went on to win 73-58 against Wayne, bringing home the GRPA 2009 district two championship for the second year in a row.

According to the coaches, the key players in game two were Durden with 26 points, 11 rebounds and 3 assists. Johnny Williams hit 16 points and got 3 rebounds and Johnson added 4 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals.

"I must admit, the first quarter looked like our boys were playing Wayne County’s game," Johnson said. "Something’s gotta give ... this is not happening," coach Cooper told the squad.

When the second quarter started, Liberty came back for a victory.

The LCRD senior boys basketball All-Stars will now advance to the GRPA State tournament this weekend in Effingham.