In just three seasons as a head high school boys basketball coach, Liberty’s Nigel Long has established himself as one of the area’s most composed coaches.
He doesn’t rattle easily.
But during the Hurricanes’ football season, however, one could picture Long closing his eyes and being afraid to watch as several of his key players were making plays on the gridiron.
Jake Pukszyn, who scored 10.2 points per games last season as a freshman for Long, was one of the top receivers in Eastern Pennsylvania Conference football with 45 receptions for 545 yards and seven touchdowns. Caden Vermuelen, who played in all 27 games for the basketball team last winter, became the starting quarterback and took his share of hits. Jahsi Cole, who played in 16 games last year for Long, caught five passes in the Freedom game alone.
Getting those kids out of the football season healthy was a key for the Hurricanes basketball season starting well.
After going 16-11 and making the District 11 6A title game and PIAA tournament last season, Liberty is expected to contend for championships this winter.
But considering the program already took a hit with its leading scorer and third-team all-EPC selection Dywane Chess, Jr., transferring to St. George’s School in Rhode Island, Long and Liberty couldn’t afford any more personnel losses.
Chess, who averaged 14.9 points and 8.2 rebounds last season, is reclassifying to the Class of 2026. He would have been a junior at Liberty this season.
“It was a family decision and we wish Dywane the best of luck,” Long said. “He did a lot for us last year and was kind of our closer. But for us, it’s the next man up. That’s what we talked about in the fall and the guys responded well in the fall. We grew a little bit which was awesome to see and we’re excited.”
Long said he gets asked a lot about who’s going to replace Chess.
“It really comes down to the entire team,” Long said. “We’re excited about our junior and sophomore classes and we have kids who have worked hard and they’re ready to show what they can do.”
Last year, Liberty played more close games than almost any other EPC team. They had 13 games decided by single digits. They won eight of them including two tight ones in their run to the District 11 6A title game.
“The previous year we weren’t winning the close games and last year we did win most of them,” Long said. “A lot of that goes into preparation for end-of-the-game situations and our habits. We just have to continue to build those right habits so we can win the close ones. We have some big goals, but the league is strong with tons of talented players and there are great coaches. Every night is going to be tough, starting with our first league game against Whitehall [Saturday]. But I am looking forward to it.”
Liberty
Coach: Nigel Long (4th season, 30-32)
Last season: 16-11, 10-6 EPC. Lost to Emmaus 60-39 in the EPC tournament. Beat Allen 52-47, beat Emmaus 46-43 and lost to Parkland 57-43 in the District 11 6A tournament. Lost tp Upper Darby 66-64 in 2OT in the PIAA tournament.
Season opener: Dec. 1 vs. Scranton Prep
EPC opener: Dec. 2 vs. Whitehall, 3 p.m.
Nonleague games: Dec. 1 vs. Scranton Prep; Dec. 16 vs. Dallas; Jan. at Muhlenberg Twp.; Dec. 27-28 vs. Reading in Reading holiday tournament; Jan. 24 vs. Parkland.
Non-division league games: Dec. 2 vs. Whitehall; Dec. 12 at Pleasant Valley; Dec. 19 at Emmaus; Dec. 22 vs. Pocono Mountain West; Jan. 16 vs. Allen; Jan. 19 at East Stroudsburg South.
Players to watch: Blake Hargrove (6-0, So. G); Jahsi Cole (5-9, Jr. G); Seth Ford (6-2, Jr. F); Jake Pukszyn (6-2, So. G); Jayden DeJesus (5-9, Jr. G); Andre Negron (6-0, Jr. G/F); Bryce Fenstermaker (6-1, Sr. F); Caden Vermuelen (6-1, Sr. G); Chase Dusseau (6-1, Jr. F); Angel Holguin (6-6, Sr. F); Quinn Lucas (6-6, So. F); Isaiah Medina (5-9, Jr. G); Will Palmer (6-4, So. F); Ngoli Croom (6-2, Jr. F); Jurell Delaney (6-5, Sr. F).
Take note: The team’s biggest loss in graduation was Nate Rivera, who averaged 9.5 ppp and made 66 3-pointers, which was fourth-best in the EPC last year behind only Allentown Central Catholic’s Lucas Mushrush (83) Parkland’s Nick Coval 78) and Pocono West’s Kyon Coles (68). Rivera, who was the first Pete Carril Memorial Scholarship winner, is now at Northampton Community College. … Liberty’s 99 3s as a team last season was tied for third in the EPC. … Liberty’s 56.7 ppg last season was sixth-best in the league. … Kyle Mills, who was team’s junior high coach last season, is now an assistant at Penn State-Lehigh Valley. Devante Queen, a former point guard at Easton, will become the junior high coach. David Slagle is a new assistant JV coach.
Why the Hurricanes are Dandy Dozen material: Hargrove and Pukszyn were co-rookies of the year last year along Pocono West’s Coles and figure to be an even more dynamic duo in the backcourt this season. Hargrove, who averaged 10.8 points per game last season, played a lot basketball in the offseason, especially at a high AAU level, and figures to be one of the area’s best players with Pukszyn not far behind as he comes off football. Long also feels he has guys who are ready to emerge inside, players such as Will Palmer, Angel Holguin, Seth Ford and Quinton Lucas.
Final word: “Our guard play is definitely a strength for us,” Long said. “An area of opportunity for us to grow is in our collective toughness. We need to do the tough things that we talk about every single day and building the right things in practice that we can carry them into the games. We’re excited about our young guys who we will be leaning on this year.”
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