The Bethlehem boys basketball team won an exciting 56-53 Suburban Council game over Guilderland last Thursday.
The Eagles (7-8 league, 7-12 overall) had a 50-40 lead going into the fourth quarter before the Dutchmen (10-5, 12-7) rallied. Guilderland went on a run to take a one-point lead with 3:20 left.
There was a chance (Guilderland could come back) there is always a chance,` said Bethlehem coach A.G. Irons. `We have had a lot of these close games this year, and a lot of them haven’t gone our way.`
Kevin Wendth wouldn’t let Bethlehem lose this close game, though. The senior forward hit a key basket to give the Eagles the lead back and finished with a game-high 23 points.
`Kevin sees things other guys don’t see,` said Irons. `Guys know Kevin is good, but they don’t know how fast he really is until you are on the court and you try to play against him. He’s got a step ` another gear that guys don’t have, and he’s got those long legs.`
Bethlehem nearly didn’t have Wendth on the court in crunch time after he had to leave when he took an elbow in the chin. It was all part of a physical game between the two South Division rivals ` something the Eagles are getting used to in general.
`I think recently we have noticed that we’ve been playing tougher, and a physical game doesn’t really affect us right now,` said Irons. `I think we play a little better when it is physical. It gets us up a little bit.`
Ryan Prinzo chipped in 15 points for Bethlehem, which swept its two regular season meetings with Guilderland.
Jon Terry led Guilderland’s comeback. The senior forward scored 15 of his team-high 21 points in the second half.
`He is an excellent player,` said Irons. `I think he got frustrated in the first half, but he had a change of heart at halftime and came out and played strong.`
Kevin Kost contributed 11 points for the Dutchmen, who wrapped up their regular season Tuesday against Shenendehowa.“