All records aside, a rivalry is a rivalry, and that is one of the things that made Bethlehem Catholic's 57-36 victory over Liberty much more satisfying last Friday night at Becahi.

"Definitely, the rivalry…we both came in, making sure to match each others' intensity. It was a rough game, but the refs let us play," said Becahi guard, Nicole Lacherza.

If nothing else, the Hawks and the Hurricanes played fast and hard for 32 minutes in the first game of a boy-girl doubleheader. Up by one point at the end of the first quarter, Becahi stretched that lead by 12 points at halftime, but the last thing Liberty was going to do was back down.

Hurricane center, Kristina Polak, started the third quarter with two points. Kalista Walters responded with two points for the Hawks, but Madison Capuano, Torie Zerbe, and Kaylin West combined for 11 straight points within the next few minutes for Liberty.

Lacherza said, "When they had their streak going, we had to regroup and start playing how we know to play."

Once again, Becahi shifted the momentum back to itself, holding Liberty scoreless in the fourth quarter.

Bethlehem Catholic coach Jose Medina said, "We scored the first four points, and we wanted to capitalize off that momentum."

Not about to repeat a third quarter when the Hurricanes outscored the Hawks, 16-7, Medina called a time out with 6:30 left on the clock and a 43-36 lead.

Lacherza said, "Our coach told us to pick up the defensive intensity, and make our defense become our offense."

Lacherza was also charged with guarding Capuano, Liberty's best three point shooter.

"I knew if she was left open, she'd knock it down. It was definitely a difficult match up. I had to know where she was at all times," said Lacherza.

Returning from the timeout, Maggie Melhem scored two more points, and the Hawks never looked back.

Coach Medina said, "I'm pleased with the way we finished and closed things out. We kept a fresh body on [Capuano] the whole fourth quarter [with Lacherza and Nia Mims]. We limited West's penetration. She was killing us in the first half."

As always, the Hawks and Hurricanes played in front of a considerable, spirited crowd, but for Coach Medina, there was a definite bottom line.

"It was a nice environment, a raucous environment. Liberty is a tough, well-coached team. A lot of these girls know one another. There was an inner fire, and we need and relish those games, but the way we finished, that was the bottom line. The way we finished," he said.