Yes, the Freedom Patriots lost to Abington, 63-55, in the second round of PIAA State Class 6A girls’ basketball playoffs last week at Spring-Ford High School in Royersford, but according to the Patriots and Freedom coach Dean Reiman, the season was an overall success story.

“This program, a year ago, on a stage like this would have folded up the tent when we got down by 10 easily in that second quarter. So for them to have a confidence in themselves, and a belief in themselves, and not have fear, this year we’ve taken a huge step, and I know we’ll continue to move it forward,” Reiman said.

Yes, the Patriots did fall behind in the second quarter, but Hailey Silfies and Jennifer Kokolus led an 8-0 run later in the same quarter, and three free throws made by Silfies with 0.6 seconds left in the half brought the Patriots to within two points, trailing 35-33.

“That the game was ours,” Reiman told the Pates at halftime. “These kids are high character kids. They don’t quit, I don’t panic, I don’t need to call timeout to get them back on board as to not giving up.”

The third quarter was marked by early fouls against Abington that resulted in a lead by Freedom on free throws by Silfies, Kyra Jefferson, and Brenna Ortwein.

But one of Abington’s bigs, Kassondro Brown, was hard to stop.

“We did a decent job on her. I mean, you’re not going to stop a kid like that, especially when our biggest kid is 5-10, 5-11,” said Reiman. “I thought we had good awareness on her. They made everything in the first half, and we made just enough. There for awhile, the game was very tight and in the balance, but we couldn’t take it away from them.”

That and seven three pointers by Abington hurt the Patriots who had one.

“Threes from some of their other players that aren’t their scorers, so credit to them for recognizing who had the hot hand,” Reiman said.

Freedom guard Yasmine Herrera took a nice three point shot with one minute remaining, and it was blocked, but Kokolus landed one 20 seconds later.

Missed free throws here and there also hurt the Patriots in the fourth quarter, along with some missed shots, and the hot hands of Abington’s Camryn Lexow and Sam Brusha.

“It’s disappointing, it’s heartbreaking, but I think the credit’s got to go to Abington. They have a lot of experience in games like this. They’re very calm down the stretch,” said Reiman. “We missed a lot of easy baskets down the stretch which would have given us the lead or tied the game. That’s just part of it. It’s nobody’s fault, but I know our kids will be motivated to not settle for this, not to get to the second round of states. It’s an expectation now in our program.”