The championship division finals of the Suburban Council boys and girls basketball tournaments are now set following Thursday’s opening round.
Gold Division champion Guilderland takes on Blue Division-leading Colonie in the boys final Sunday at 6:45 p.m. at Albany’s Washington Avenue Armory. Prior to that contest at 5 p.m., Blue Division champion Shenendehowa plays Gold Division champ Bethlehem in the girls final.
Guilderland fended off a strong challenge from Shen in Thursday’s opening round of the boys championship division. The Dutchmen scored 21 points in the fourth quarter to pull out a 74-69 victory over the Plainsmen in Guilderland.
Kevin Kost led four Guilderland players in double figures with 25 points including five three-pointers. Andrew Smith contributed 19 points, Jon Terry chipped in 17 points and Brett Marfurt added 11 points for the Dutchmen (12-0 league, 16-2 overall).
D.J. Evans had 18 points, while Tom Kukuk and Kaelin Loose each added 11 points for Shen (9-4, 10-8).
Colonie advanced to the finals with a 67-52 victory over Mohonasen. The Garnet Raiders (10-4, 14-5) built a 36-24 halftime lead and never looked back in beating the Mighty Warriors (8-6, 11-8).
Herb Tedford led Colonie with 27 points, while Tashan Newsome contributed 13 points. Cameron Couball and Jordan Macejka each scored 14 points for Mohonasen.
In the girls championship division, Bethlehem hung on for a 48-44 semifinal victory over White Division champion Niskayuna, while Shen knocked off Columbia 50-32 in Clifton Park.
Meg Olsen drained five three-pointers on her way to a 26-point night for Bethlehem (13-1, 18-1). Elizabeth Halayko scored 14 points, and Emily Bayly contributed 13 points for Niskayuna (12-2, 14-5).
Shen (10-1, 13-1) broke its semifinal game open by outscoring Columbia (8-5, 9-9) 12-2 in the second quarter. Barb Shea led a balanced Plainsmen attack with 11 points.
The consolation rounds of the Suburban Council Tournament take place Saturday at the Washington Avenue Armory. Championship games for each of the three divisions will be played Sunday.`