Now, Guliford has taken the reins, along with fellow seniors Connor Ray and Elijah Moye. He averaged about 23 points per contest and, at 6-5, can play in the post.

Yet, he also functions as another lead guard — along with junior Jacob Edahl — and is second on the team in assists.

"I want to make everybody comfortable in their role. I know when I was a younger player, sometimes I felt a little nervous. I want them to make sure they’re the most confident in themselves and to have fun," Guliford said. "I’m playing more aggressive and more free. Knowing what this team is capable of makes me want to push my play to an elite level and bring my teammates up.

Thus far, Wood said, Guliford and the other seniors have lived up to their vow after the semifinal loss to Phoenix Sunnylope last February — that they will handle class of 2017 legacy with care, and aim to take the program even further.

To the coach, Guliford’s ability to pass, rebound and play defense are the best indicator of his value to the team.

"They’re all selfless categories. That 23 a game could be more but he is making everybody else better. That’s the important stat. He’s willing to do what it takes," Wood said.

And Guliford may be able to throttle down a bit offensively once he returns from an ankle injury suffered Dec. 12 against Apollo. The Lions played a marquee game at Gilbert Mesquite Saturday, at it was the first time they were close to full strength.

Junior Josh Ursery, a Valley Vista transfer, was not eligible until the McClintock Shootout during winter break. Ray missed the opening weeks of the season. Rarely have two of the team’s top three scoring threats played together, let alone all three joined trigger man Edahl.

"They’re resillient. Q rolls his ankle in the first minute against Apollo. The whole gym goes, "Oh, no." Except for our team. They go and beat Shadow Ridge without Q. We lost to Valley Vista and they played outstanding and we had tired legs," Wood said. "The ceiling is higher than what we’re at right now. The more we click together and defensively apply the pressure for longer amounts of time, then I think the sky is the limit."

Fortunately for the Lions, most of the losses during their first half of the season were during tournament play.

Plus, a loaded non-region schedule has Liberty ranked at No. 7 despite a 6-3 regular season record, well ahead of three one-loss teams.

"We’ve shown, even with a limited squad, how dangerous we are and how we can compete with anybody. In the first half of the ‘Slope game we were winning, then they made a nice run in the second half," Guliford said. "With our whole team, there’s no doubt in my mind we’re one of the top teams, if not the best team in 5A."

Once the season ends, Montana State comes into focus. Guliford said the school reached out to him in July.

Assistant coach Chris Haslam was the main contact, but every Bobcats coach, including head man Brian Fish, talked with him between July and Sept. 30, when Guliford made his verbal commitment to the school. Guliford said he initially though about studying physical therapy, but the course load plus time spent with the basketball team might be too much, so now he’s looking at business, sports agency in particular.

Wood said he largely stayed in the background during recruiting but he learned the Bobcats coaches were a good group of guys that made Guliford their No. 1 priority.