It’s postseason time for most high schools around the country, including future Liberty men’s basketball players.

Carmel Christian (N.C.) senior guard Marten Maide, Kearney (NE) senior forward Shiloh Robinson, and Lexington Christian (KY) senior forward Kyle Rode, all Liberty signees, are ready to lead their respective teams into the playoffs.

The 6’5″ Maide helped Carmel Christian to a 29-3 record in 2018-19, as Carmel is ranked as one of the top teams in North Carolina and has been ranked in the top 50 of the nation. Maide, a former teammate with Liberty freshman guard Josh Price, and the Carmel Christian team are the reigning NCISAA 2A State champions. They have advanced to the 3A Semi Finals this Friday against Cape Fear Academy. The game will be played in Raleigh at St. David’s School. The Finals, also to be played in Raleigh, are scheduled for Saturday at Ravenscroft. Maide is 1 of 5 seniors on his team that have signed to play Division I basketball next year.

Robinson Becomes School’s Career & Season Rebound Leader

On senior night, the 6’7″ Robinson pulled in two rebounding records, becoming Kearney’s record holder in career and single season rebounds. He became the school’s career rebounding leader despite missing his entire junior season with a broken wrist which required two surgeries. Robinson is ranked as the #2 player in his home state, is averaging 18.8 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks per game this season. At 19-4, Kearney is the #2 ranked team in Class A as the district tournament is set to begin.

Rode Eyes Trip to Rupp

Despite falling in the All-A State title game and failing to repeat, Kyle Rode and his Lexington Christian Academy still as an opportunity to make it to the Sweet 16 at Rupp Arena. Kentucky, one of just two states that still play a state tournament without a class system that divides large and small schools into separate tournaments, welcomes the 16 regional winners to Rupp Arena to square off in the Sweet 16. The 6’7″ Rode and LCA defeated Lexington Catholic Tuesday night to advance to the District Tournament Championship game where LCA is looking for its 3rd straight championship.

According to 247Sports, Rode, a 3-star rated prospect, is the highest rated Liberty signee in school history and the top rated ASUN commit in the class of 2019. Before last year, LCA’s boys’ basketball program had never made the championship game of the All A State tournament, but advanced to the final in 2018 and 2019, winning the title in 2018 before losing to University Heights this year. Earlier this year, Rode became LCA’s all-time leader in points, rebounds, and assists.

Dobbs Is Liberty’s Only Commit For 2020

With the signings of Maide, Robinson, and Rode, Liberty’s roster is full for 2019 unless we have any transfers. This leaves the coaching staff turning its attention to the 2020 class as the Flames currently have one commit for 2020, in Drake Dobbs. Eden Prairie (MN) junior guard Drake Dobbs committed to Liberty in early January. The 6’1″ point guard still has a few games left in his regular season.

McKay also has offers out to 2020 prospects Isiah Warfield, Jackson Sivills, and Dean Reiber. Class of 2021 Efton Reid also has an offer from the Flames.

Warfield is a 3-star, 6’4″ guard from Sewickley Academy (PA) who also has offers from Southern Utah, Hampton, and Duquesne. Sivills hails from McCracken County High School in Paducah, Kentucky. The 6’6″ forward just picked up an offer from the Flames last week and also has offers from Northern Kentucky, Rice, Samford, UT Martin, Kent State, Murray State, and Saint Louis. Reiber is a 6’9″ forward from Northwest Guilford High School in Greensboro, North Carolina. He has offers from the College of Charleston, Appalachian State, High Point, Charlotte, Elon, and Rice. Reid is a 3-star prospect from Richmond, Virginia where he attends the Steward School. The 2021 6’11” big man has offers from Rutgers, VCU, ODU, Howard, Florida, Drake, Canisius, and Virginia Tech.