Liberty High School Men’s Basketball: 2025 Winter Season Recap with Coach Mark Wood
As the 2025 winter basketball season comes to a close, Liberty High School’s men’s basketball team once again solidified its reputation as a powerhouse in high school athletics. Under the steady leadership of Head Coach Mark Wood, the team delivered a campaign full of grit, balance, and pride. Coming off a 2024 state championship, expectations were high—and the team did not disappoint.
Coach Wood recently took time to reflect on the past season as part of our 2025 Winter Season Recap Series. His insights offer a look into a program that has built not only a culture of winning, but also one of resilience, development, and sportsmanship.
A Balanced Approach to Success
When asked who the key contributors were this season, Coach Wood emphasized the balance of the roster over any one standout performance. “We were very balanced,” he explained, “as we had many contributors throughout the season.” This team-oriented approach reflects the strength of Liberty’s program—success isn’t reliant on a single player but on a system where every athlete has a role to play.
Still, several players emerged over the course of the season with notable growth and impact. Coach Wood highlighted the development of TJ Harris, Jacob Hunter, Vincent Busalacchi, and Nicholas Topolosek as athletes who stepped up and grew into larger roles as the season progressed. Their ability to evolve and contribute meaningfully speaks volumes about the team’s commitment to individual improvement and collective achievement.
Season Reflections: A Year of Steady Excellence
By most measures, the 2025 season was a resounding success for Liberty. Though they fell just short of back-to-back state titles, the team advanced to the 6A Final Four, losing by a mere three points in a tightly contested match. Despite that narrow loss, Coach Wood remains proud of how the team defended their title and represented their school.
“We lost in the 6A final 4 by 3 and felt we defended our 2024 state championship well,” he noted. The ability to return to such a high level of competition after a championship season is a testament to the team’s consistency and character.
One of the highest honors for the team came off the court: Liberty was named the Sportsmanship Team of the Year by their interscholastic association. This distinction, as Coach Wood shared, reflects not only their competitive drive but also the character, discipline, and mutual respect that underpin their program.
Interestingly, Coach Wood doesn’t point to a single defining game or moment that shifted the season’s trajectory. “It was a steady run throughout the season,” he said. That steady hand and even-keeled performance style speak to the team's preparation, composure, and focus—a hallmark of a program that values the process as much as the result.
Responding to Adversity with Unity
Every season brings its share of challenges, whether through tough losses, injuries, or pressure-packed moments. Liberty’s response? “Toughness and togetherness,” according to Coach Wood.
That simple but powerful answer encapsulates the essence of the team. Whether it was rallying from a deficit or pushing through fatigue, the team leaned on one another and stayed grounded in their culture. This resilience is no accident; it’s something that is cultivated through hours of practice, a shared commitment to the team’s identity, and the leadership of the coaching staff and seniors.
The Legacy of the Senior Class
The 2025 season marked the final chapter for three key seniors: Stephan Miller, Mark Duguid, and Jackson Hunter. Though Coach Wood didn’t elaborate extensively on their statistical impact, he did emphasize their relentless work ethic. “They worked hard all season,” he said, highlighting the values they brought to the locker room and the court. Leadership comes in many forms, and for Liberty, it appears the senior class led by example through their day-in and day-out commitment.
Looking Ahead: A Future Rooted in Culture
Despite the season’s conclusion, the grind never stops at Liberty. Coach Wood is already looking toward the future with optimism and determination. “Our culture is a winning one,” he said. “Our guys are working incredibly hard. We have a balance of youth and veterans.”
It’s clear that this is more than just a basketball team—it’s a long-standing program designed to foster continuous growth. With a promising mix of young talent and experienced returners, the foundation is strong for another competitive year in 2026.
When asked what the team hopes to improve during the offseason, Coach Wood gave an answer that captures the ethos of the entire program: “Always our development. Never satisfied with it.” That relentless pursuit of excellence—refusing to rest on laurels—is what continues to make Liberty a perennial contender.
Final Thoughts and Where to Follow the Team
For those interested in diving into the numbers and stats behind Liberty’s stellar 2025 season, they are available on MaxPreps.com, where fans can find individual and team performance breakdowns.
But beyond the stats and wins, this season has been about far more than just basketball. From their balanced offensive approach and steady play to their sportsmanship honors and player development, the Liberty men’s basketball team exemplifies what a high school athletic program should be.
Under the guidance of Coach Mark Wood, the 2025 Liberty Lions showed the kind of heart, discipline, and determination that every team strives for. While they may not have repeated as state champions, they showed the mark of a true champion in every other sense—on the court and off it.
The future looks bright, and if this season is any indication, Liberty will continue to be a force to reckon with in the years to come.
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