Liberty High’s Whitaker scores 52 to set single-game school record

Published 2:30 pm Wednesday, December 31, 2025

Liberty High School’s Jackson Whitaker etched his name into the Renton school’s history books on Dec. 26 in Palm Springs, California.

Whitaker, a 6-foot-3 senior guard, set a new school record with 52 points in a single game. The previous recordholder was Jake Elfstrom who scored 42 in a win against Interlake High School back on Dec. 11, 2018. Elfstrom now coaches in the Liberty youth basketball organization coaching seventh grade boys.

The Patriots embarked on their annual winter break trip this year, heading to Palm Springs to take on teams from California, Nevada and Arizona. In their first game against Tennyson High School (California), Whitaker popped off for 40 points in the first half en route to 52.

Liberty ended up winning the game 86-50, and Whitaker cemented himself as one of the greatest basketball players in Liberty history.

The Patriots are 3-0 and next take on Sierra Vista, which won the Nevada state 4A title last season.