Fayetteville, NC — March 6, 2026 marked a major moment for Fayetteville basketball as the Fayetteville Liberty tipped off their season in The Basketball League (TBL) against the Raleigh Firebirds at the Crown Arena inside the Crown Complex. The building was packed with energy, familiar faces, sponsors, supporters, and visitors from the Raleigh area who came to see the start of the Liberty era in the Ville.
If you were there, you know the atmosphere. If you missed it, the night offered a strong glimpse of what professional basketball in Fayetteville could become.
The game delivered the excitement fans hoped for. It remained back and forth throughout the night with both teams trading momentum and keeping the crowd engaged. In the final two minutes, the Liberty tightened their defense and execution, pulling away to secure a 93–86 victory over the Firebirds.
Liberty owner Robert Edwards Jr. and General Manager Tiras Ray were responsible for bringing the event together. From the production and entertainment to the overall flow of the evening, the event appeared well planned and the effort from the organization was evident throughout the night.
The in-arena commentary from Ray Thomas helped guide the crowd through the evening’s events. A very young host assisting during the program also stood out with impressive professionalism. Anyone who knows the young host’s name is encouraged to share it so proper recognition can be added.
DJ G-Moniy handled music duties throughout the night, keeping the arena energized between plays and during timeouts.
Petey Pablo had originally been scheduled to perform during halftime but was unable to attend. The Hoke County Marching Band stepped in and delivered an energetic performance that kept the crowd entertained.
Local artist William Prize also energized the arena during a television timeout with a performance of his newly released single, “Jackie Chan.”
Several local leaders were also present in the crowd, including Cumberland County Commissioner Pavan Patel and Commission Chairman Kirk DeViere. DeViere was seen wearing a custom Liberty jersey and was briefly recognized on the court alongside his son during the evening’s program.
The Liberty Dancers remained active throughout the arena, interacting with fans, tossing promotional t-shirts into the stands, and joining the team at midcourt for introductions and other featured moments. Fan participation contests including half-court shots and shooting challenges also helped keep spectators engaged.
Concessions throughout the arena included pulled chicken or pork sliders, popcorn, pretzels, chicken wings, and a walking taco booth.
On the court, Tyreik McCallum led the Liberty with 22 points and 7 rebounds while knocking down three three-pointers at 43 percent from beyond the arc. Deandre Mason recorded a double-double with 14 points and 15 rebounds. Anthony Dunbar added 10 points in just seven minutes of play.
For the Raleigh Firebirds, Ofure Ujadughele and Shaq Dance each scored 15 points while Julian Gamble added 14 points and 15 rebounds. Fans also recognized a familiar name on the Firebirds roster, Tyrrel Tate, a former Fayetteville State Bronco.
Overall, the night served as a strong opening chapter for the Fayetteville Liberty season and demonstrated the level of community support for professional basketball in Fayetteville.
Kres Thomas
FayToday News
