Parkland High School spoiled a chance for the first-ever all-Bethlehem PIAA District 11 boys championship game with a thrilling overtime victory over Liberty High School on Wednesday night.
So instead of the cross-town rival Hurricanes, the Freedom High School Patriots will meet the Parkland Trojans for the title Saturday night.
Freedom will be trying to win its first boys Class AAAA title in 37 years, according to The Express Times. It’s been 33 years since the Patriots even played in the championship game.
And the Patriots are not the only team trying to bring a District 11 basketball championship back to Bethlehem.
Bethlehem Catholic High School boys and girls will both play for Class AAA championships, while Notre Dame Green Pond boys and girls will both be playing for Class AA championships.
And despite its disappointing Wednesday loss, Liberty gets one more shot at qualifying for the PIAA state playoffs if it can win a Class AAAA consolation game.
PIAA District 11 High School Basketball Playoff Schedule
(All games at Easton Middle School unless otherwise noted.)
Class AA Girls Championship
Notre Dame vs. Pine Grove at Blue Mountain High School, 6 p.m. Friday
Class AAA Boys Championship
Bethlehem Catholic vs. Allentown Central Catholic, 8 p.m. Friday
Class AAAA Boys Consolation Game
Liberty vs. Stroudsburg, noon Saturday
Class AAA Girls Championship
Bethlehem Catholic vs. Southern Lehigh, 1:30 p.m. Saturday
Class AA Boys Championship
Notre Dame vs. Catasauqua, 3:30 p.m. Saturday
Class AAAA Boys Championship
Freedom vs. Parkland. 7:30 p.m., Saturday
