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Strange things happen this time of the year. Teams that have struggled all season find their mojo and can roll off three straight wins for an improbable district title.

Then you have it the other way — where a team riding a wave of momentum gets knocked off in their first game, and the season ends just like that. No second chances. No double-elimination. It’s just over.

Liberty’s boys basketball team found that out in a 53-50 overtime loss to Park Hill South on Feb. 24. The No. 1-seeded Blue Jays were coming off a first-round bye to meet the Panthers in the semifinals of the Class 5 District 16 tournament at St. Joseph Central High.

Liberty boys looking for back-to-back district championships

There is no doubt Liberty’s boys basketball team is struggling down the stretch.

Prior to the Blue Jays’ game at Blue Springs South on Tuesday, Feb. 16, they had lost three of their past five games, including a numbing, 45-44 home loss to Lee’s Summit on Senior Night on Friday, Feb. 12.

Liberty’s first half hurts in final home game of season

It was Liberty’s final boys basketball game at home as a one high-school community.

It was Senior Night for seven seniors.

Broncos stronger down the stretch against Blue Jays

Liberty’s performance at its Courtwarming game put coach Roger Stirtz in an apologetic mood.

The Blue Jays’ basketball team, ranked No. 7 in the state in Class 5, was humbled in every possible way Friday, Feb. 5, and fell to Lee’s Summit North 65-55 in front of a huge home crowd with a larger-than-normal student section wearing all-white.

Grandview beats Liberty in overtime

Momentum appeared to be on Liberty’s side going into overtime against Grandview.

The Blue Jays, ranked seventh in the state in Class 5, got two free throws from junior Denton Koon to tie the game with 5.3 seconds remaining, and one of Grandview’s best players, 6-foot-8 senior Quantel Denson, fouled out on the play.

Liberty’s boys basketball team used a 17-4 run to close out the game and secure a 15-point victory against Blue Springs in a Suburban Big Seven Conference game Friday, Jan. 29, at Blue Springs High.

The Blue Jays led by only two at halftime, 25-23, but went on a 15-3 run for a 40-26 lead. Blue Springs answered with a 15-3 run of its own and led Liberty by only two, 43-41, with 5:53 remaining.

Liberty High assistant to lead the Eagles

Chris McCabe has known for quite a while what he wanted to do for a career.

“My mom would tell you she knew when I had a clipboard at my brother’s seventh grade birthday party,” McCabe said.

Liberty wins first C.W. Stessman crown since 2003

Bryan Adams scooped up the ball and took a glance at the clock.

The Liberty senior knew the situation. Olathe East just wrestled momentum away from the Blue Jays with two rim-rattling dunks from Cody Gafford. The Eagles led by four in the final seconds of the third quarter.

Jaguars shut down in fourth quarter

Liberty’s boys basketball team couldn’t figure out Blue Springs South, and it was almost getting too late.

With six minutes remaining, the Jaguars had hit 17 of their 28 shots (61 percent) and were well on their way to a Suburban Big Seven Conference upset, leading the Blue Jays 44-39.

A second consecutive Suburban Big Seven Conference loss wasn't far away.

Liberty's boys basketball team trailed Blue Springs South by five with 5:20 remaining. But the Blue Jays avoided it by stepping up their defense.