Back-to-back victories for Freedom's girls basketball team last week gave the Patriots the hope they needed to make the District 11 playoffs later this month. After losing to Easton by one point earlier this season, the Patriots were determined to avenge that loss, prevailing 46-39 against the Red Rovers on Friday night.

"It was a great game. They're always great competition for us. We knew we had it. We wanted that one really badly," said Freedom senior, Kelley Rosete.

The Patriots maintained a slim lead at the end of each quarter, eventually pulling away in the fourth.

"At halftime, we were up by one. We needed this win to get to districts. We did not want to lose that game," Rosete said.

Ashley Husser led the Patriots with 18 points, followed by Brenna Dosedlo, who had 12 points. Taylor Garza had six points, Rosete had five points, Tori McCaslin scored three, and Gia Erie added two.

"Brenna and Ashley helped a lot with Ashley underneath and Brenna's threes," said Rosete.

Earlier in the week, the Patriots scored a 43-37 overtime win against Whitehall.

"We thought we had it. We needed that win too," Rosete said.

Although the Zephyrs took a five point lead by the end of the first quarter, the Patriots were able to pull within one point at halftime.

"We all kept our heads in it because we knew we needed to get to districts," said Rosete.

In overtime, Rosete, Husser, and Dosedlo combined for six free throws. Dosedlo led the Patriots with 20 points, Husser added nine, Mackenzie Herman and Rosete had five points, and Jaiden Coyne and Taylor Garza scored two apiece. Freedom's record is currently 8-9. The Patriots will face Bethlehem Catholic, Stroudsburg, Central Catholic, Williamsport, and Liberty to finish up their season.

"Our coach [Ron Garza] focuses on one game at a time. We're all definitely excited for Liberty. We beat Whitehall, and Whitehall beat them, so I think we have a good advantage," Rosete said.