Two games from Tuesday night have set up the first big showdown of the Suburban Council girls basketball season.
Bethlehem 63, Colonie 57
A 22-9 run in the third quarter propelled Bethlehem (2-0) to victory over the previously-unbeaten Lady Raiders of Colonie (2-1). Molly Kirby had 16 points, and Maggie Kirby contributed 13 points for the Lady Eagles, who had a full week of rest after receiving a bye Friday, Dec. 9. Erin Fouracre poured in 24 points for Colonie.
Shaker 60, Saratoga 51
Bethlehem’s next opponent Friday, Dec. 16, is Shaker (3-0), which nearly suffered its first loss of the season Tuesday against a stubborn Saratoga squad. The Blue Bison trailed 43-39 late in the third quarter before closing the game on a 21-8 run. Sierra “CeCe” Mayo netted 20 points for Shaker, while Catherine Cairns poured in 22 points for Saratoga (2-1).
Those two games proved to be the closest of the bunch around the Suburban Council Tuesday, Dec. 13.
Shenendehowa 75, Niskayuna 39
Shen (3-0) had it working in the second and third quarters, as it outscored Niskayuna (1-2 league, 2-3 overall) 41-10 to break the game open. Catherine Almeida led Shen with 18 points, while Olivia Owens paced Niskayuna with 17 points.
Columbia 61, Guilderland 35
An 18-6 second quarter helped the visiting Blue Devils (3-0, 4-0) build a big lead on the Lady Dutch (1-2). Grace Heeps (20 points) and Selena Lott (16 points) led the way for Columbia, while Valencia Fontenelle Posson had 14 points for Guilderland.
Troy 62, Schenectady 29
Alaina Holmes led a balanced attack for Troy (2-1) with 12 points, while NaSeyah Dix scored 12 points for Schenectady.
Ballston Spa 55, Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake 20
Jordan Hipwell (23 points) scored nearly half of Ballston Spa’s points in the battle between two winless teams. Avery Pollard (12 points) had nearly all of BH-BL’s points.
Averill Park 82, Mohonasen 32
Five players reached double digits in the scoring column for Averill Park (2-1), with Olivia Kelley and Kelsey Wood each netting 17 points. Mohonasen (1-2) never recovered after falling behind 23-11 in the first quarter.