Neither Freedom nor Nazareth’s girls’ basketball teams wanted a district championship more than the other, but after two overtimes, the Blue Eagles prevailed, 46-38, to win the District XI Class 6A final last Friday at Easton Area Middle School.

“It’s disappointing, more so in regards to having an opportunity to win,” said Freedom coach Dean Reiman. “We needed to make an aggressive play and we didn’t, so hats off to them. It was a great high school, district championship game.”

Kayla Jefferson started the offense for the Patriots with a three pointer early in the first quarter but Freedom trailed by six at the end of it.

In the second, Kailey Turpening and Jennifer Kokolus combined for eight points while the Pates held the Blue Eagles to three. While practically shutting down Nazareth guard Kelly Leszcynski, the Pates tied it at 26-26 by the end of the third quarter.

Freedom had possession as the fourth quarter and the first overtime clocks wound down thanks to a forced turnover by Corrin Gill, but Leszcynski, who had been quiet most of the night, hit a three with 10 seconds left in the first overtime.

“There were times when we got some 50-50 plays; we just didn’t get enough of them and for us to win, we have to get the majority of them,” said Coach Reiman. “It probably had something to do with how hard Nazareth was playing as well.”

Nazareth’s Sophia Zelasko hit a three to start the second overtime and three free throws put the Blue Eagles ahead, 42-35.

“On the wrong end of it, it’s disappointing, it’s crushing, but we need to regroup and get ready for next week and get into state playoffs and hope for good things to happen,” Reiman said. “It’s basketball and there are nights when the shots don’t fall. I think we saw two groups of kids that really wanted it, and they just made more plays in this period.”

Freedom will continue its season on Friday in the PIAA State Class 6A tournament, scheduled to face the fifth place team from District 1. Nazareth will take on the 11th place team, also from District 1.