Bethlehem, PA - January 21, 2025: The Liberty High School and Bethlehem Catholic High School girls rivalry game needed an extra period Tuesday night at Memorial Gym to decide a winner. In the end, and in a physical hard-fought contest, Liberty defeated Bethlehem Catholic for the second time this season 55-51 in overtime.
Liberty, with the win, extended its win streak to eight games, last losing to District III’s Wilson West Lawn in a non-conference game on December 28, 2024. Liberty defeated Bethlehem Catholic for the first time this season on December 2, 2024 by a score of 41-38. Liberty remains at the top of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference (EPC), Northampton Division, with four games remaining in the regular season.
After the game, Liberty Head Coach Jarrett Carnes Jr. had this to say:
It was a very physical, hard fought game on both sides. I wish there were less whistles and the refs would have let the girls play a bit more. Bethlehem Catholic is a talented team and they’ve been a staple in the area for some time. Our kids were very determined and weren’t going to be denied tonight. Everyone that stepped onto the floor for us contributed to this huge win and our bench brought the energy all night. We found our identity now and we’re playing good basketball at the right time. I’m very happy for my kids, they work hard day in day out and we’re starting to reap the benefits.
In the back and forth close game all night, it was tied at 23-23 after two periods. Liberty’s Ava Kopetskie (30) was quiet the first half but came out in the second half with a different attitude. Kopetskie scored 23, of her total 25 points, in the second half to lead her team. She hit three 3-pointers as well in the second half and was clutch near the end at the free throw line. Teammate Anijah Davis (5) followed Kopetskie with 13 points.
For Bethlehem Catholic, freshman sensation and 5’11” forward Palin Coleman (12) led her team with 18 points. Coleman has already shown much improvement in her early career and is looking to lead her team for some time to come. She will be tough to reckon with as she continually matures.
Late in the fourth period, Bethlehem Catholic was down by a few points but kept the pressure on Liberty. Liberty would then have a couple costly turnovers as they tried to play keep away and use up the clock. Liberty also missed a couple free throws and Bethlehem Catholic was able to eventually tie the game at the end of regulation 44-44.
Liberty’s Shawna Beatty (32) controlled the tip off in OT and it went directly to Kopetskie who took it in for a layup. She was fouled, made the free throw, and Liberty was up quickly 47-44.
Bethlehem Catholic would respond quickly as well as Daviana Jones (23) took the ball down court and drove for a basket to make it 47-46. Jones would score all 7 points for Bethlehem Catholic in the OT period and she finished the game with 11 total. It should be noted that Bethlehem Catholic was down at least three starters due to foul trouble late in the game and/or the entire OT period.
The teams would exchange a couple turnovers as the score remained 47-46 midway through the OT period. Then, off a missed Liberty shot, Davis (5) pulled down a clutch rebound and put it back up for two points, Liberty up 49-46 with about two minutes to play in OT. Bethlehem Catholic struggled against the Liberty pressure and either turned the ball over, was called for traveling, or missed shots down the stretch. Liberty’s Tula Sobrinski (22) was then fouled on a drive and she made 1 of 2 free throws to widen Liberty’s lead to 50-46. Bethlehem Catholic was left to putting Liberty at the line while the Hurricanes slowed the game down. Kopetskie and Beatty would hit their free throws to secure the victory 55-51.
Liberty has Northampton High School up next on 1/24 while Bethlehem Catholic has Nazareth High School on the same date.
