In sports, little kids dream of coming up big in the postseason.
The same is true for high schoolers.
And no one had a bigger high school playoff run in 2020 than Kickapoo’s Cameron Liggins.
“Last year was a pretty slow year for me,” the Chiefs junior said, “so I had to step up – losing a lot of great seniors.”
“He’s playing with a lot of confidence,” head coach Mitch McHenry said, “and our guys are finding him and he’s hitting big shots.”
It started against Nixa in the district title game. Liggins ties a team high 19-points to top the Eagles and give Kickapoo back to back district championships.
“Amazing,” fellow junior Anton Brookshire said. “He helps me rebounding and scoring; just being an overall winning. Very thankful for him.”
The hot shooting junior continued in the sectionals. Liggins pouring in 30-points to down Joplin and send the Chiefs to a quarterfinal re-match with Rock Bridge.
In the Class-5 quarterfinals, the Chiefs shook off a slow start behind the range of Liggins who hits a three to break a tie just before halftime.
“Anton talked to me,” said Cameron, “be ready to shoot!”
“So I listened to my point guard.”
Thanks to Liggins 25-points, Kickapoo pulls away from Rock Bridge for the right to play in the Final Four.
For Liggins, his late season run and turn around this year is thanks to long nights in the gym.
“Shout out to Rob Yanders, working with him.”
Like most athletes, Liggins lives basketball both on the court and at home.
But for him, its a little unique. He talks basketball at the breakfast table with his step dad, MSU Bears Head Coach, Dana Ford.
“We’re both competitors,” Liggins said. “That’s my guy. I love him and he taught me a lot.”
