Freedom’s girls’ basketball team is currently 1-1 in city rivalry battles after defeating Liberty, 60-28, on Dec. 20 at Freedom.

“I was so excited,” said Freedom senior Jennifer Kokolus. “It’s my last home game versus Liberty, so I was really excited to come out with a big crowd today. It was a lot of fun.”

The Patriots led 30-12 at halftime, but both teams were held scoreless until there was 5:05 left in the third quarter. That’s when Alondra Cruz converted one of two free throws.

The Pates then went on a seven point run before Cruz was fouled again. Freedom’s Elsa Martin hit three pointers before and after the foul on Cruz.

“Corrin [Gill] drove it and then she passed it off to me, and I just finished. That was it,” said Martin. “I kind of knew they were going in.”

Liberty guard Jessica Farrell scored on a steal and a layup and Kokolus added two points for Freedom at the end of the third quarter.

“We do a good job of finding the open person,” said Kokolus. “It’s going to work every time if we do it like that, no matter who’s on defense.”

Hurricane guard Kathryn Wescoe scored a three pointer to start the fourth quarter, but the rest of Liberty’s points came on foul shots.

“Every team we play, we’re usually the smaller so we have to be aggressive and use our toughness and quickness to beat them,” Kokolus said.

Freedom will host Northampton on Jan. 4, and Liberty will travel to Whitehall, also on Jan. 4.