A big first quarter enabled Freedom High’s boys varsity basketball team to top a surprising Liberty team 68-51 on Friday night.

The Falcons came out hot, putting up a 22-8 lead in the first quarter to set the pace.

Senior guard Andrew Gardner led the charge for Freedom, scoring 20 points. Sophomore guard James O’Neal contributed 15. Junior guard Jalani Hardaway finished with 14.

For the Lions, sophomore guard Brandon White netted 16 points. Junior forward Darius Brown chipped in with 12.

Freedom (11-7, 1-1 Bay Valley Athletic League) plays Deer Valley on Tuesday while Liberty (10-8, 1-1 BVAL) takes on Heritage at home.

Pittsburg 74, Deer Valley 71

Pittsburg upset league-leading Deer Valley 74-71 on Friday. Senior forward Kristopher Manning, the Pirates’ leading scorer this season, put up a game-high 25 points. Junior guard Randal Gory finished with 15.

Junior guard Olajuwon Garner led Deer Valley with 18 points. Brothers Charles and Kendall Smith each scored 14. Senior forward Andre McPhail notched 12 points and came down with nine rebounds.

The Wolverines (13-5, 1-1 BVAL) travel to Freedom on Tuesday while Pittsburg (7-10, 1-1 BVAL) faces Antioch on the road.

Antioch 70, Heritage 57

Senior guard Jamaal Davis’ 16 points helped Antioch topple defending BVAL champion Heritage 70-57 on Friday night. Seniors Michael Crawley and Namuji Madoshi each scored 12 points in the win.

Junior guard Josh Ned led the Patriots with 13 points. Senior swingman Kyle Reynolds netted 11 and junior guard Kyle Reynolds finished with 10.

The Panthers go into Tuesday’s matchup with Pittsburg at 8-10 (1-1 BVAL); the 11-7 Patriots travel to Liberty.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Heritage 59, Antioch 15

The Heritage girls varsity basketball team easily defeated Antioch 59-15 on Friday night. The Patriots shut out the Panthers in the first quarter, 24-0, and held a 41-3 lead at halftime. From there, Heritage was able to roll to an easy victory.

The Patriots (13-5, 2-0 BVAL) host Liberty on Tuesday while Antioch (4-13, 0-1 BVAL) travels to Pittsburg.

Deer Valley 72, Pittsburg 31

Led by junior guard Monique Mulder’s 21 points, Deer Valley thumped Pittsburg 72-31 on Friday. Senior forward Kayla Alexander finished with 15. Junior guard Jennifer Keys netted 14 points in the victory.

Junior forward Keshia Ward and sophomore guard Janeek Mollique led the Pirates with seven points each.

The Wolverines also played Saturday, losing 77-51 to St. Mary’s of Stockton. Pittsburg dropped a game with McClatchy on Saturday 58-56.

Deer Valley (9-6, 1-0 BVAL) hosts Freedom on Tuesday; the Pirates (8-10, 1-1 BVAL) welcome Antioch.

Liberty 56, Freedom 33

After a 17-point first quarter, Liberty rolled to victory on Friday, beating Freedom 57-33. Junior center Bernadette Fong led the Lions with 18 points while junior guard Shaunike Lee scored nine. Senior guard Gabby Worley chipped in eight.

Sophomore guard Elsa Ross posted a team-high eight points for the Falcons. Junior center Nicole Mass netted seven.

Liberty (11-7, 1-1 BVAL) goes to Heritage on Tuesday while Freedom (6-12, 0-2 BVAL) travels to Deer Valley.