Winning can do wonders for any team’s confidence and Freedom has certainly benefited from that with their recent form.

The Pates (6-6) come into the week winners of three straight games to pull themselves back to .500 and into the playoff picture.

Wins over Easton, Liberty and Dieruff last week was just what the doctor order for Joe Stellato’s group, who have started to settle into the season.

“This winning streak is really what we needed,” he said. “We can show the players the early games and mistakes and now show them when we do things right this is the outcome.

“The reason we’re winning is because we’re buying into playing team defense and sharing the ball offensively. We have talent and have had some difficult losses early in the season, but I really see these kids starting to turn things around. I keep telling them we want to be playing our best basketball at the end of the season and into the playoffs. But we have to get to the playoffs first.”

The Pates have two games on the docket this week to keep their momentum going with Whitehall (5-9) and East Stroudsburg South (8-4) on Friday. Stellato knows every game in the EPC is a battle and this week is no different, especially considering the Zephyrs are playing for their playoff lives and ESS is looking to stay on pace in the North Division.

“Both teams are like us and need wins,” said Stellato of this week’s contests. “They are in every game and getting better. These games will come down to who can get more stops on defense in the fourth period.”

Bethlehem Catholic (9-2) is riding that winning wave as well, as they’ve won six straight games to keep them near the top of the EPC behind Central Catholic (12-1) and Emmaus (12-2).

“Always great to have a win streak, and we have enjoyed this six game run so far,” McClary said, “But every game is different and presents its own challenges. We have been helped by getting a few players healthier, but also have lost another player or two in this stretch. Additionally, everyone is dealing with something physical this time of year. Our schedule is a challenge with so many games pushed together here in January and has really forced us to lean on a ton of depth and I am proud at how guys have stepped up and grown into their roles through it all.”

The Hawks face a tough week ahead, as they had Parkland (8-5) on Tuesday, followed by Nativity BVM (8-2) on Wednesday, capped off by Stroudsburg (6-9) on Friday.

“Parkland represents an enormous challenge as they have an extremely talented roster along with excellent schemes on both sides of the ball,” said McClary. “Their record is a bit deceiving as they have played a very high level nonconference schedule thus far. Their size worries me along with facing two all-league players in Coval and Meaker. We have to go on the road the next night and face a defending state champion in Nativity BVM. Then have our longest road trip of the year on Friday at Stroudsburg. We will be tested for sure.”

Liberty (8-6) stumbled last week, losing two out of three with both of those losses coming against city rivals Freedom and Becahi.

The Hurricanes look to get on track again this week, but have the toughest week of any Bethlehem team, as they have Central Catholic, East Stroudsburg North (2-10) and Nazareth (9-3).