In the season opener against Catoctin, Liberty’s Tristan West controlled the ball from the opening tip and exploded for a thunderous dunk just seconds later in an impressive display of athleticism.
“In my 20 years at Liberty, I’ve never seen anything like that,” Liberty coach George Sinnott said. “It kind of set the tone for everything this year now that I’m looking back on it.”
In many ways, it was the perfect way for Sinnott to start the season, as he, with West by his side, embarked on a year full of firsts.
There was the program’s first home state playoff game, followed by its first trip to the state semifinals, all with West leading the charge for the Lions.
West finished the season averaging a Carroll County-best 16.5 points per game, ranking fifth in the county in both rebounds (9.8) and assists (3.2) per game.
For his efforts, Liberty’s Tristan West has been named Carroll County Times 2024-25 boys basketball Player of the Year.
“I told him, not just at the beginning of this year, but even at the start of last year, that he had a chance,” Sinnott said. “With his energy, ability and confidence, Tristan was always a sure bet to do something special.”
West stepped on the hardwood with confidence already sky-high. After being named Offensive Player of the Year following a stellar football season, many knew that once West and the others focused on basketball, the sky was the limit for the Lions.
“We were a young team and we got off to a slow start,” West said. “Once we found our rhythm, we knew we were going to be good.”
The team fought through a couple of rough moments but started to hit its stride, with West playing a huge role.
Almost a sure bet to reach double digits in the scoring column, it was the other ways No. 0 contributed to the Lions that sparked the team’s run. If there was a play to be made, West was often the one to do it.
“He was the catalyst,” Sinnott said. “I told him we were going to go as far as he carried us. He was the key. Tristan stepped up and just made winning plays every time he stepped on the floor for us.”
In some games, it was West’s rebounding prowess that took center stage, as he teamed up with Ethan Hart to form a duo down low that some in the county struggled to contain.
Whenever someone snuck by a Liberty guard, West was there for the cleanup, sending a promising shot into the first or second row with a thunderous block that halted all momentum.
That is, when West wasn’t guarding them himself, taking his talents to the perimeter where he fearlessly faced a team’s best scoring option one on one.
“[My favorite thing to do] is locking someone up on defense,” West said. “Making them give up the ball or take a bad shot, or even getting a steal or a block.”
West added a new dimension to his game this season by improving his 3-point shooting, making him an even more dangerous weapon for Sinnott.
“Every kid wants to shoot more 3s these days, but he really went out and worked at it like he does everything else,” Sinnott said. “That made him even more valuable for us, especially when we could pair him with Ethan and his improvement.”
West upped his 3-point percentage to 42% this season, setting the stage for many impressive scoring outputs, including a 27-point performance against Pikesville.
“I did want to shoot better,” he admitted. “But at the end of the day, I just wanted to win games. Whatever it took.”
The Lions went on a 12-game winning streak, capturing the Class 1A West Region II championship against South Carroll. In that game, West finished with a 19-point, 11-rebound double-double, leading the way for a squad that made school history.
This year’s Lions set a new program standard as West leaves Liberty with his head held high and another Player of the Year award.
“Going to the state semis, and even before that, being able to host and beat a good team, was great,” West said. “I loved the experience.”
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