Freedom girls’ basketball coach Dean Reiman would like to kick the Patriots’ tempo up a notch for the 2019-2020 season.

The Patriots have most of their key returners back as two seniors graduated.

Those key returners are senior Jen Kokolus, juniors Corrin Gill, Brenna Ortwein, Kayla Jefferson, Jewel Levy, and Elsa Martin, and sophomore Kailey Turpening.

New players to watch will be juniors Hope Dunfee and Gabby Glick, along with sophomore Ciana Feliciano.

“We have played in a few tournaments over the summer and fall and have a very committed group who have been putting extra time in to prepare for the season,” Reiman said.

The Patriots won the A-town Throwdown championship, a summer tournament, after defeating University High School Newark, 46-41, in the final. Kokolus scored 20 points in that July game.

Last season, the Pates got to the district final and the second round of states.

“We will continue to develop in our offense as the year goes on and will look to play at a higher tempo,” said Reiman. “They get along very well on and off the court and are a great group of kids to coach.”

Freedom’s season opener is scheduled for Dec. 10 at Bethlehem Catholic.