Sometimes you can win by sheer talent.

Two seasons ago, Freedom did just that when a squad led by Derike Chiclana and Nyreef Jackson went 17-10 and reached the District 11 4A final.

This Patriots squad may not feature a player with the star power of Chiclana or Jackson, but it does offer a scrappy unit that works hard on the defensive end and on the boards.

It was those little things that led to a big Freedom win over host Dieruff on Friday night.

The Pates came up with 11 steals on defense and 14 offensive rebounds in hustling past the Huskies 48-42 to win their third game without a defeat in a surprising early-season run.

Jeff Toronto scored 13 points and had six rebounds all at the offensive end to help Freedom rally from a 37-32 deficit over the last five minutes.

Toronto came up with the ball after Demond Farley missed the second of two free throws with 22 seconds left.

Farley had made his first attempt to make it 45-42, but Toronto was able to put the game away with two foul shots when he was fouled on his follow attempt.

"[Dieruff's Isaiah Johnson] sunk inside a little bit and I was able to jump up and get it," Toronto said of the key rebound. "Coach always talks about next man up and we're all contributing to these wins."

Patriots sophomore Nick King had 13 points and six rebounds, but it was the overall defensive pressure that caused problems for Dieruff.

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Freedom scraps its way past Dieruff to stay unbeaten