Mark Wood waits for the moment – that point in the season where he can let the tenants of the program take over.

Each year is different, and the transition happens at different times, but there comes a time where he can let the players take ownership of how the season will finish up.

He’s been at the head of the Liberty boys basketball program since the school opened. Wood and the assistants have been able to imprint every facet of the culture, and it is bringing in the hardware now.

The Lions won their second state title in three seasons as No. 6 Liberty beat No. 7 Perry 69-65 in overtime on Saturday for the 6A state title at Arizona Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum.

Liberty (22-9) won its second title in three years after winning the 6A championship in 2024.

“It broke the ceiling for us and gave us permission,” Wood said of the first title. “These guys play for each other and that’s everything. It’s a player’s program.”

A cold fourth quarter erased a 11-point third quarter lead, as Perry (13-17) used the hot shooting of Vik Babic as he went 4 for 5 on 3-pointers and scored 14 points in the fourth quarter to get back into the game.

The Pumas had the final shot of regulation, but LJ Diamond’s 3-point attempt hit the front of the rim to end the fourth tied at 63.

The extra session showed just what some of those tenants Wood put in place all these years to make the program what it is today.

Vincent Busalacchi was able to fight for an offense rebound and was fouled after missed free throw. He made a freebie of his own, and then MVP Trevin Davis, who finished with 20 points, hit a 3-pointer from the left corner for a 68-63 lead.

As Perry worked to tie it in the final 10 seconds, Liberty’s Nicholas Topolosek bodied Babic on a pass from JJ Howard. The pass was high because of Toplosek’s presence, and the ball tipped off of Babic’s hands to give possession back to Liberty and TJ Harris sealed it with a free throw after being fouled on the inbounds play.

 “It’s one of your identities -defense and applying pressure,” said Topolosek, who had 14 points, five rebounds and three steals. “I saw (Babic) and I kind of cemented myself and saw the pass. I tried to make it hard for him.”

It was the culmination of the season Wood knew was a possibility in the offseason with the way the team, made up of neighborhood kids, came together and the character of the players.

It wasn't until midway through region play the Lions were ready, so he turned it over the players to finish off what he believed was possible.

When he makes that discovery each year, he knows the tenants are in place and have taken hold.

It started in 2008 with a vision. He described the early days as “Painful. Sacrifice. Suffering.”

That led to selflessness, brotherhood, and now multiple championships.

“We wanted to build a culture that allowed people to be the best version of themselves,” Wood said. “Ultimately, now I just get out of the way and it’s their team.”

Perry coach Justin Collard is on the other side of that as he took over the premier program in the state as the Pumas won fourth straight titles.

He managed to help Perry make a fifth straight appearance after a 10-15 regular season. In his mind, it is just the start of what is to come for this latest version of the Pumas.

It’s a good sign as Collard and the Pumas create their own identity going forward.

“We have a young team,” said Collard, who came over from Boulder Creek. “They are high character kids and they’re tough. This will make them hungry for the Open next year.”

Liberty brings back plenty of experience too with some of the current juniors looking for a third ring next year.

“Coach Wood always says coaching is overrated,” Topolosek said. “That’s the best coach anyone could have, but it is our team at the end of the day. It’s about how we want to go out and this isn’t a bad way to go out.”