Liberty’s 2021-22 season has come to an end after the Flames’ loss to Bellarmine in the ASUN Tournament on Saturday. There was an opportunity for the Flames to compete in a postseason tournament, but the team ultimately elected not to continue their season. Liberty finished the season at 22-11 but were unable to continue the streak of three consecutive ASUN regular season and tournament titles.
Despite the disappointing end, there was still a lot to be proud of from the season that saw many high points. Here are our awards for the Flames’ season.
MVP: Darius McGhee
Obviously, Darius McGhee gets the award after having one of the most successful offensive seasons in program history. He set the school record for most points scored in a single season at the Division I level with 812 points as he averaged 24.6 points per game. He also set school records for most three pointers made in a career and single season as he was named the ASUN Player of the Year for a second straight year.
Defensive MVP: Shiloh Robinson
Shiloh Robinson grew into a foundational piece for this Liberty basketball team this season. After being a role player the past two years, the 6’7″ junior forward improved immensely on the offensive end of the floor as he shot 37.1% from three for the year, but his true contributions are on defense. He is able to cover virtually any position on the floor, as he showcased throughout the season.
Most Improved: Isiah Warfield
The highest rated recruit in school history, Isiah Warfield was unable to find a spot in the rotation last year during his true freshman season. That changed this year, as Warfield played in 32 games and averaged 13.4 minutes per game, with his playing time and role on the team growing throughout the year. Warfield is already one of the team’s best defensive players and his effort is second to none. He has proven to be solid on offense with his ability to make precise cuts and find open lanes on the floor, and if he is able to improve his three-point shooting, he has the capability to be one of the team’s best players.
Rookie of the Year: Joseph Venzant
Joseph Venzant started 31 of 33 games this season, finishing with an average of 21.3 minutes per game. His final state line shows averages of 3.8 points and 4.4 rebounds per game while shooting 47.2% from the field. He will need to show improvement in his three-point shooting as he continues to develop, shooting just 5 of 31 (16.1%) from three this season, but Venzant is one of the team’s top defenders already during his freshman season. Coach McKay has said that he has all-conference potential on his horizon, and we have all seen those flashes at times throughout his first year on the team.
