Last month, Liberty head coach Ritchie McKay was able to officially announce the signing of 2021 men’s basketball prospects Brody Peebles and Joseph Venzant. This two-person class has long been hailed as one that can help push the Flames to the next level as a mid-major power. Peebles and Venzant, both three-star rated prospects and ranked among the top 250 prospects in the class have showcased their talents early in their senior seasons.
The 6’3″, 170 pound Peebles has helped lead Hartselle High School in Hartselle, Alabama to an 8-0 start to the season and a No. 4 ranking in Alabama 6A. Peevles, who averaged 29.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.1 steals, and 1.7 assists as a junior last season, was recently named the Alabama Player of the Month for November as he’s currently averaging 34.1 points per game. He’s surpassed the 40-point mark twice this season and has three other 30-point games.
Peebles signed with Liberty over offers from Alabama-Birmingham, Lipscomb, North Alabama, Belmont, Samford, UNC Wilmington, and Wofford. He was the only non-senior to be named ASWA Class 6A first-team all-state last season and he’s well on his way to duplicating that honor.
Not to be outdone, the 6’3″, 185 pound Venzant is off to a strong start for Midland Christian in Midland, Texas. On Wednesday, he scored 37 points and grabbed 10 rebounds while connecting on eight three-pointers to help lead his team to a comeback win. Venzant now has two 30-point double-doubles on the season as he had 39 points and 10 rebounds in the season opener.
Last season, Venzant helped lead Midland Christian to a Final Four appearance in the state tournament as he averaged 21 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game and was named MVP of District I for a third consecutive season and named first-team all-state TAPPS 6A for a second consecutive season.
Venzant and Midland Christian are currently 2-2 on the season, and he also has a 28 point performance to go along with his two early 30-point double-doubles.
*photo courtesy Liberty Athletics
