By Kyle LoJacono
Hillsborough did something to the Freedom girls basketball team that no other squad has been able to this season.
The Terriers (5-4) couldn’t hand the Patriots (7-0) their first loss Dec. 3, but they did push Freedom like no other squad has.
Freedom defended its home court with the 76-45 win, but it was the first time this year the Patriots have been unable to force a running clock by gaining at least a 35-point lead after halftime.
“They gave us a challenge,” said senior point guard Monet Williams. “It was the first time a team really stepped up to challenge us. They came to play. We had to pull through. We made some changes, and thankfully we got it done.”
The Patriots led by 13 at halftime, the closest at the break this season. Sophomore guard Taylor Emery said the contest was exactly what the Patriots needed after outscoring teams by an average of 77.5-25.5 entering the game.
“We needed a reality check,” Emery said. “This shows what we have to work on and get better at.”
Freedom coach Laurie Pacholke said she was pleased with the way her squad reacted.
“You never know when you’re going to get that first test of the year, and I’m happy with the way the kids responded in the second half,” Pacholke said. “They were sick of them hanging around, and they said, ‘This is it.’ I think the first couple possessions of the second half looked really nice.”
Pacholke said the conversation at halftime revolved around execution.
“Talked about things like transition defense, which I thought was shaky in the first half,” Pacholke said. “We also said to keep pushing at them because they had fouls and we knew they’d get tired. We know where our conditioning is. We know what we did in the offseason and what we do every day in practice. Some teams might stick with us for a half, but with our depth and conditioning we have an edge. … They stuck to the game plan and took care of business.”
Senior Faith Woodard had a team-high 28 points and 11 rebounds. Emery added 25, 11 steals, eight rebounds and five assists. Senior forward Ashle Thompson had nine points, all in the first half, and eight rebounds.
Woodard said Hillsborough’s tough play is what slowed them early.
“They were really physical,” Woodard said. “They were fast and quick. They’re pretty much more disciplined than some of the teams that we’ve come across.”
Pacholke said that physical play put her starters in foul trouble early, forcing her to go deep into her bench.
“I knew coming in if we weren’t on our A game we’d be pushed, but our depth really showed,” Pacholke said. “How many other teams can have two starters get in foul trouble in the first quarter and still be OK? We didn’t panic, and I think that’s what is the biggest strength we have is that depth.”
Williams, who had six assists, started for the first time this year in her third game back from tearing her right ACL twice in the last 10 months. Pacholke said she did “a great job getting into the flow” of the game.
“It was a different starting lineup that we’ve had all year, so I wasn’t surprised that we started a little slow, but dang, some of the things that Monet can do defensively and offensively seeing the open person and making passes is special,” Pacholke said. “We’re trying to keep her down a little bit. She wants to go out and play 32 minutes, but in games like this that get a little bit physical I’m just not taking that chance.”
Freedom plays a pair of home Class 7A-District 9 contests this week, first against Wiregrass Ranch Dec. 11 followed by the defending league champion Steinbrenner Dec. 13. The Patriots also travel to Newsome Dec. 12. All games start at 8 p.m.
