Liberty Basketball Adds Zach Cleveland and Ben Southerland on Signing Day

Ritchie McKay and Liberty men's basketball announced a pair of newcomers on National Signing Day, signing Zach Cleveland and Ben Southerland.

"As our program has continued to experience growth, it is reflected in recruiting and being able to recruit not just really good basketball players but terrific people from wonderful families,” McKay said. “This is certainly the case with our 2022 Class and we are thrilled to welcome them and their families to campus next year.”

Zach Cleveland | 6-7 | Forward | Normal, Ill.

Cleveland attended Normal Community high school where he played for head coach Dave Witzig. Cleveland filled up the stat sheet during his junior year at Normal Community high school, averaging 21 points, 12.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game. Cleveland was named First Team All-State during his junior season and was an All-State Honorable mention selection in his sophomore season when he averaged 15.2 points and 10.1 rebounds per game as a sophomore. Cleveland played against some elite competition at the AAU level, playing for Illinois Hoop Stars where they were crowned UA Rise Champions.

Coach McKay Quote: "Zach is versatile forward that really embodies the word ‘positionless’. He has an outstanding skill set, is a terrific athlete an unbelievable teammate and really has a chance to impact a program right away. He comes from a great family and was well-coached by Dave Witzig and Justin Rhymes”

Ben Southerland | 6-7 | Forward | Cincinnati, Ohio

Southerland played at Sycamore high school, the same high school as former Flame and current member of the Flames’ coaching staff, Zach Farquhar. Southerland played for head coach Andrew Ovington at Sycamore where he averaged 18 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals per game. During the 2020-21 season Southerland was a First Team All-Conference selection and an All-District selection. Southerland holds the record at Sycamore for most three-pointers in a season and the record for most points in a game (41 points).

Coach McKay Quote: "Ben Southerland was a gift and felt called to become part of our family. It just goes to show that the young men we have in our program and that we continue to be able to attract talent that will significantly impact the future of our program. Ben is an excellent shooter but has a variety of attributes that will give him a chance to play right away.”