Robbins says Liberty still ‘has memories to make’ following regional championship

GRIGGSVILLE, Ill. — Logan Robbins’ right knee is feeling just fine, thank you.

So is that troublesome left ankle.

Finally able to showcase his overall talent that had been hampered much of the season because of injuries, Robbins helped power Liberty to a 59-39 victory over Winchester-Bluffs West Central in Friday’s Class 1A regional championship game.

The 6-foot-5 senior scored a game-high 18 points, including 10 straight early in the fourth quarter when the Eagles took command of the game that was played in front of a standing-room only crowd of about 1,500 people who filled the gym more than an hour before the opening tip.

“I missed about a month earlier this season with a dislocated right knee and a (twice-sprained) left ankle,” said Robbins, who also collared six rebounds, blocked three shots and recorded a dunk that kickstarted his personal 10-0 surge about two minutes into the final quarter. 

Robbins’ 10-point outburst allowed Liberty to build a 51-32 advantage. The Eagles (26-5) went on to outscore West Central (22-11) in the second half 39-22.

“I’m just now getting back to where I need to be,” Robbins said. “Both my knee and ankle feel fine now.”

The Eagles advance to the North Greene Sectional and will play at 7 p.m. Tuesday against the winner of Saturday’s Madison (17-11) vs. Gibault Catholic (21-8) game.

“There are still memories to make,” said Robbins, who believes the key to the Eagles’ success is simple. “We’re committed, and we trust each other. Without those kind of things, the whole process doesn’t work.”

Liberty will be seeking its first sectional title since 2016, when it eventually finished a program-best third in the state in coach Greg Altmix’s second season.

Altmix, who in his coaching career has won more than 100 games at both Liberty and Highland (Mo.), said Robbins is an important piece to the Eagles’ frontcourt puzzle. Robbins complements both 6-4 power forward Breiton Klingele and 6-6 center Devin Klauser. “Logan is just now getting (fully healthy), and we’re seeing what he is capable of doing,” Altmix said. “He has the ability to take over a game.”

Klingele, Robbins and Klauser proved to be a formidable trio in the regional, combining for 83 points and 40 rebounds. Liberty downed Griggsville-Perry in the regional semifinals 61-47.

Klauser (14), Cannen Wolf (13) and Klingele (9) backed Robbins in the Liberty scorebook, with Clayton Obert (8) leading the Eagles in rebounding. Liberty outboarded its two regional opponents 68-48.

Liberty, which led 20-17 at halftime, began to control the game’s tempo with its defensive pressure.

“Defense is what did it for us,” Robbins said.

The Eagles forced 25 West Central turnovers while committing just 13.

“Our defensive pressure began to turn the game’s momentum late in the first half,” Altmix said.

Tysyn Mast led West Central with 12 points. Teammate Jaydon Howard, a 6-3 senior, had an unusual final line — he did not score a point, but led all rebounders with nine and blocked five shots.

The regional championship was the third for Altmix at Liberty, with others coming in 2020 and 2016. That ties him with Jeff Kasparie (2005, 2006, 2007) and Paul Kreke (1978, 1981, 1984) for the most regional titles won by an Eagles coach.