The Warriors knew if they wanted to win that they would have to get the lead early and keep the pressure on Raiders all game.

Proctor, the #1 team in Class AA basketball, gave the Liverpool fans a little fright when the fans saw them dunking in warm-ups –  and especially when they saw their size.

But the Raiders never intimidated the Liverpool Warriors. The Warriors did what they had to do with a burst of energy.

Senior Jesse “Goose” Gates had the first nine points of the night, all three pointers. Gates would finish the game with a total of 26 points, 18 of which were threes. Junior Conner Rodgers also helped lead Liverpool to victory by ending his night with points, six of which were from threes.

The Warriors outscored Proctor in the first three quarters. Both teams had a total of 17 points in the fourth quarter.

Because of their great effort in getting rebounds and their terrific defense, Liverpool shut down Utica Proctor, the former first-place Class AA team, knocking Proctor to 9-2 for the season.

Liverpool won 61-47, improving their record to 8-4; with this win they have clinched a playoff berth in the Class AA playoffs.