What lessons can really be learned from a 49-16 drubbing in basketball?

A few are evident without having to even really analyze the game.

One team clearly had their shots fall while the other did not. The battle for rebounds likely went toward the victor as did time of possession, ball control and flow of the game.

All of those happened to be true Monday night in Woodbridge during Patriot's inaugural regular season girls game on the road against Freedom.

What the Pioneers can also take out of their game is that with a little consistency, the new team from Nokesville can actually play ball.

"We have the pieces," said head coach Jennifer Olinger. "I think we have the potential" to succeed.

Freedom opened the game with a 16-1 lead based on an ability to over-match the more controlled Patriot offense with an up-tempo, fast-break style of play.

The Eagles constantly challenged the Pioneers' defense and created turnover opportunities.

Had it not been for three free throws by forward Zorha Allen, Freedom would have shut out the visiting squad in the first quarter.

In fact, it took until 2:07 remained on the clock in the second quarter before Kendall Dalkiewicz finally scored Patriot's first-ever field goal.

The sophomore caught a pass just inside the arc closest to the Freedom bench, squared up toward the basket and fired off a swish jump shot, putting the score at 25-7.

Two Freedom free throws and a chip shot off of a steal made the score 31-5 by half time.

Fortunately for Patriot, that's when things changed.

Patriot outscored Freedom 8-4 in the third quarter with all of their points coming from field goals.

Corrinn Burch deposited two shots at the book ends of the quarter, including a long-distance two-pointer from right at the arc about 40 seconds into second half.

Dalkiewicz, meanwhile, made good on two assists, landing shots from both the right and left side of the baseline.

By the end of the game, the forward-guard led the Pioneers in scoring with six points.

Olinger described her as a "versatile" player that excels at posting up in the box and has a solid 10-foot jump shot.

While her team's that wasn't enough to match the effort by Freedom, who boasted two players with double-digit scoring, Olinger clearly found an offensive leader for her budding squad.

The coach explained that she is holding Allen and Dalkiewicz to the highest standards on the team as their talent levels show they can be trusted with the most responsibility.

Indeed, even though Allen's field goal attempts did not fall on the night, the junior could be seen everywhere on the court, constantly fighting for rebounds and breaking up post passes on defense.

"When Zohra's on the floor, the intensity level rises just a little bit," said Olinger, calling the junior a "super physical" player.

Though fouls from Freedom allowed the Patriots to gain a one-and-one free throw situation, Patriot largely stayed out of major foul trouble.

In fact, Allen's four-for-five performance from the line showed at least one fundamental area where the Pioneers are potentially sound.

That will be needed this year as Olinger figures out a way to make up for the team's relative lack of experience. Patriot boasts six freshmen on its 13-member squad. Allen and guard Hannah Mardo are the only juniors.

Patriot, as a school, has no senior class in its first year of existence.

All that means is that younger players will be called on to step up.

Freshmen like Burch and Megan Mohler are among the guards responsible for setting up the tempo of the Patriot offense. Burch in particular, having played travel ball and on her middle school team, "understands the game very well," according to Olinger.

Mohler "has excelled" with her ability to control the ball, making her the team's go-to point guard.

Olinger's also enlisted Delany Dobbins as a shooting guard, who's made an impression as someone "always" going for rebounds offensively and defensively.

"(She's) not afraid to take it strong to the hole," said the coach.

The primary goal Olinger's set out for the team this year is to break the .500 mark by the end of the season, something that could be a tough task with a schedule that includes two games against powerhouse Stonewall Jackson and one more against Freedom.

It's not like she hasn't guided a new team before though, having previously served as Kettle Run's head coach for three years.

The difference at the Group AAA level locally though, she said, is that "the level of competition in general in this district is a lot higher."