The Shaker boys basketball team had a difficult time keeping up with the defending Suburban Council North Division champions.
Shenendehowa jumped out to a 13-5 lead after the first quarter and cruised to a 64-48 victory over the Blue Bison in last Wednesday’s league opener in Latham.
The difference was three-point shooting. Shenendehowa (1-0 league, 2-0 overall) hit eight of its shots behind the three-point arc, while Shaker (0-1, 0-1) hit four of its attempts.
Dan Lee was Shenendehowa’s leading long-distance shooter. The senior guard drained six of the Plainsmen’s eight threes on his way to a 24-point performance.
Forward Manny Hernandez contributed 14 points, and guard Matt Miner added 11 points for Shenendehowa, which is looking for another North Division title.
Senior guard Chris Hooks scored 13 points, and senior swingman Eric Sinko chipped in 10 points for Shaker.
The Blue Bison looked to break into the win column Tuesday when it traveled to North Division rival Niskayuna.
In other boys basketball action,Christian Brothers Academy started its Big 10 season in impressive fashion last Friday by rolling past Troy 74-43 in Colonie.
Nearly every player on the Brothers’ roster contributed points against the Flying Horses (0-1). Senior guard Kameron Ritter led the way with 14 points, while junior guard Max Weaver added 10 points for CBA (1-0).
The Brothers traveled to Albany Tuesday for their first of two games against Bishop Maginn this season. The Golden Griffins swept CBA last year on their way to winning the Big 10 title.
Loudonville Christian (2-0, 3-2) has already established control in the Central Hudson Valley League following victories over Hawthorne Valley and Berlin.
The Eagles had little trouble with Hawthorne Valley in a 73-32 victory last Thursday in Loudonville. They took a 17-7 lead in the first quarter and put the visitors away with a 36-10 second half.
Luke Khachadourian led three Loudonville Christian players in double figures with 21 points. Cullen Overholt contributed 12 points, and Chris Henk added 10 points.
The Eagles picked up where they left off with a 69-23 victory at Berlin Monday. They outscored the Mountaineers 36-8 in the first half, and they cruised from there to the win.
Overholt was the leading scorer this time for Loudonville Christian, as he poured in 23 points. T.J. Duguld netted 13 points, and Khachadourian chipped in 11 points.
The Eagles look for a 3-0 start in the CHVL when they host Waterford-Halfmoon Friday.`