Freedom impressive in season-opening win over Parkland

http://blogs.mcall.com/groller/ FROM KEITH GROLLER I couldn't wait for the start of the boys basketball season, and, evidently, Freedom couldn't wait to get it started either. The Patriots were very impressive in scoring 21 points in the first quarter and building a 33-17 halftime lead, and they never looked back in a 54-47 win over Parkland in a matchup of Lehigh Valley Conference contenders on Saturday night as part of the Yasso-Rothrock Christmas City Classic. Derike Chiclana and Nyreef Jackson, who may be as potent as any 1-2 punch in the area, scored 15 apiece and also combined for 14 rebounds But I was just as impressed by the guard play of senior Maceo Connor, who had 11 points, five assists and four steals. There are a lot of people who don't believe in Freedom. Karl Gilbert, their longtime scorekeeper, does. Karl (below left) looked sharp in his new official's jersey, something that is being required of all official scorers this season. It's a shame that my friend Punkin Miller no longer keeps the book for Allen because I know he'd look good in those stripes.