When the basketball season began in December, there probably weren’t many people to predict what’s happening with Liberty’s basketball team, but the Hurricanes are as hot as any team in the state.

Liberty (14-4) has won nine straight games coming into the week and is undefeated since the new year began, as it jumps into a daunting stretch of three games this week against Easton (14-4), Southern Lehigh (15-3) and Freedom (15-4).

This might be a tough week to continue its winning ways, but head coach Chad Landis sure is feeling good about where his team is at this stage of the season.

“So far in 2020, I have been really impressed by the way our kids have played,” said Landis. “I knew that we may be capable of playing at this level for a game or two, but early in the season, I did not think we would be able to play consistently enough to be on a nine-game win streak in our league.

“I have been really impressed and a little surprised at how good our seniors have been. We have leaned a lot on those guys so far this year and they have taken everything in stride and continue to play well and lead this group. I have also been impressed with the contributions we have gotten from sophomores Joseph Barnes and Kuwasi Wellington. They both have been pleasant surprises so far this year.”

Freedom has won five of its last six games with Allen (14-4) and Liberty on the docket this week. The race for first place in the EPC Steel division will be coming down to the wire and head coach Joe Stellato knows every game will be big for his team down the stretch.

“This week is a big one for us to try and secure a home league playoff game,” Stellato said. “It will also give us confidence going into the playoffs (both district and league) that we can beat the top three teams. We want to put doubt into the other teams’ minds. These games will be played like playoff games. So win or lose, we need to play well and do things right so when we get to the pressure of a playoff game, we play the way we are capable of playing.”

Senior star, Caleb Mims, topped the 1,000-point mark last week, scoring 31 points in a 66-62 win over Bethlehem Catholic last week. Mims enters this week with 1,060 points. He needs eight more points to pass second all-time leading scorer Andrew Stein with 1,068 points.

Bethlehem Catholic (10-9) needs to scrape together another win in their last three to clinch a district berth with Dieruff (8-10) and Easton on top this week.

Head coach Scott McClary is confident his team understands the stakes at hand.

“This time of year, every game down the stretch is critical,” McClary said. “We try not to get distracted by the standings and who everybody else is playing, but it is hard not to peek. Hoping to have a great night for and from our seniors on senior night against Dieruff (Tuesday) and get that district clinching win.”