The third time was the charm for the Liberty County High School boys’ basketball team against Brunswick.
In two previous outings, the Pirates beat the Panthers, but Tuesday the Panthers defended their home court, 65-58, in a non-region contest.
The win was the Panthers’ eighth straight.
Liberty coach Willie Graham said he can’t quite put a finger on why this game against the Pirates was so different, other than to specify the Panthers continue to improve game by game.
The Panthers will need continued toughness tonight, when they host Statesboro in a Region 3A-AAAA game.
“It should be another tough battle as usual,” Graham said about the Blue Devils.
Against the Pirates, three Panthers scored in double digits, with Freddie McSwain leading the pack with 23 points. Davion Mitchell scored 13 points. Richard LeCounte chipped in 12, including two 3-pointers. McSwain also had 13 rebounds.
The Pirates’ Jabril Heck matched McSwain with 23 points of his own.
The Panther boys are 15-4 overall and 3-0 in the region.
The Lady Panthers didn’t do as well against the Pirates, falling 62-44.
Tia Fleming paced Liberty with 13 points. Lady Pirate Destiny Alston led all scorers with 21 points.
The Lady Panthers are 9-10 overall and 1-2 in the region. Tonight’s action tips off at 6:30 with the girls’ game.

GIRLS
BHS — 10/18/19/24: 62
LCHS — 7/10/11/16: 44

BOYS
LCHS — 11/11/21/22: 65
BHS — 4/13/14/27: 58