Offensively, the Parkland girls basketball team looked solid in their season-opener against Freedom over the weekend in the Yasso-Rothrock Christmas City Classic.

Three players scored eight or more points, but it was the Trojans' suffocating defense and full-court pressure that was most impressive of their 48-26 victory over the Patriots at Freedom High School last Saturday evening.

"Definitely we got the tempo that we wanted to," said senior forward Sierra Derti. "We took it to them pretty well. That's definitely what we wanted to do the first game."

During a second quarter in which that defense was at its best, the Trojans increased a six-point first quarter lead to 12 points by halftime. The Patriots failed to make a field goal in that quarter, and got on the scoreboard just before halftime with four late free throws.

The Trojan defense prevented Freedom from sustaining any rhythm offensively, and forced the Patriots into 24 turnovers on the game.

"A lot of our focus is on defense and staying together and holding them off the ball," said Derti. "Because if they don't score and we can put the ball in the basket it's looking good for us any given day.

"Getting the ball up the court [and] pushing uptempo game that's what we're trying to do. Getting the ball up and down the court as fast as we can under control, pushing the tempo and playing Parkland basketball."

Although the Patriots cut the deficit to nine points on two occasions in the second half, it was the Trojans' defense that had an answer every time. The Trojans scored the last five points of the third, including a put back and free throw by junior forward Brynne Brouse that made it 34-20 with fractions of a second remaining, that all but ended Freedom's chances.

Senior guard Hannah Gombos who was named Parkland's MVP of the game tallied a game-high 13 points to go along with three steals and two blocks. Brouse had nine points and four rebounds, while Derti added eight points, six assists and four steals.

"We're all really close," said Derti. "We need to spread the points around the entire team and not just have one key player because any given day any of us can be doing well.

"It was really important to play together as a team and not try to take over anything. Definitely being comfortable with each other and being comfortable with the ball was a big help for that."

The Trojans will next travel to Nazareth on Friday for a matchup against the Blue Eagles. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.