Freedom’s girls’ basketball team came up with a 54-35 victory over William Allen in its first game of District XI Class 6A playoffs last Thursday at Catasauqua High School.

“Tonight we knew we had to step it up, obviously,” said Patriot forward Jennifer Kokolus. “I’m so happy. We came out aggressive, we threw the first punch, and we never looked back.”

Even though Freedom defeated Allen recently, it was a different game from when the Pates hosted the Canaries a couple of weeks ago.

“We played zone this time. Last time, I think we played man, so we really packed it in the middle since they are taller than us, and I think we really played really good help defense,” Kokolus said.

It was the third quarter when Freedom scored nine straight points, seven from Kokolus and two from Brenna Ortwein, after an early three pointer by Kailey Turpening.

“They had a lot of rebounds, which I think we should have controlled a little better, but we fought through it,” said Kokolus. “They’re bigger than us, but we just played aggressive together.”

By the fourth quarter, it appeared the Canaries were frustrated and out of gas, scoreless until there was only 1:09 remaining in the game.

“I think we fed off that, and our energy got better,” Kokolus said. “This game gives us a lot of confidence moving forward.”