The Bethlehem girls basketball team did something no other team had done at Shaker since December 2010.
The Eagles rallied from deficits of 13 and eight points to defeat the Blue Bison 51-45 in a Suburban Council game Friday, Jan. 16. In the process, Bethlehem (9-1 league, 10-2 overall) ended Shaker’s 42-game home winning streak.
Shaker (9-1, 10-2) led Bethlehem 23-10 following a 12-0 run to start the second quarter, 37-29 late in the third quarter and 45-40 with less than two minutes left in the fourth quarter. But the Eagles kept coming back.
“Personally for us, it’s big that we were able to overcome such a poor second quarter and still play really hard and still keep our heads,” said Bethlehem coach Matt Bixby.
Shaker coach Emily Caschera-Bowles said turnovers and missed free throws by her team allowed Bethlehem to pull off the comeback.
“We did some really great things,” said Caschera-Bowles. “Of course, I wish we made some more free throws. They struggled from the free throw line, too, tonight. We were pretty lucky. I think they were 61 percent (at the line) – we were 56 percent. There’s a difference there.”
The key play came with about one minute left in the fourth quarter. Jenna Giacone, who had been struggling with hitting shots all night, made a three-pointer as she was fouled. Giacone added the free throw to pull Bethlehem within one point of Shaker.
“That play is emblematic of how they stuck to the game plan, even through some rough quarters,” said Bixby.
Giacone was fouled again with eight seconds left in regulation. The junior missed the first free throw, but she made the second to tie the score at 45-45.
Both teams struggled to make shots in the four-minute overtime, as both defenses clamped down. The only field goal in the extra period – and the game winner – came when Kaylee Rickert stole the ball and converted at the other end with a layup to put Bethlehem ahead 47-45. Olivia Hughes made four straight foul shots to seal the victory.
“Our defense in that fourth quarter and overtime was fantastic, and that’s why we won the game,” said Bixby.
Gabby Giacone netted 18 points, and Jenna Giacone contributed 13 points for Bethlehem. Cece Mayo paced Shaker with 18 points, and Vianah Smith added 11 points.
After hosting Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Tuesday, Jan. 20, Bethlehem faces another round of games against Suburban Council South Division opponents, beginning with Guilderland Friday, Jan. 23.
“Big picture? Right now, it’s only the 12th game of the season, so we’ve got a long, long way to go before our games really start to mean something,” said Bixby.
Shaker traveled to Averill Park Tuesday, Jan. 20. The Blue Bison host Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Friday, Jan. 23.
Boys basketball
Bethlehem continued its recent trend of blowing out opponents by beating up on Shaker 90-59 Friday, Jan. 16, in a Suburban Council game in Bethlehem.
After building an 18-10 lead in the first quarter, the Eagles (8-2, 10-2) went on a 25-5 run in the second quarter to put plenty of distance between themselves and the Blue Bison (6-4, 6-4).
Kevin Weber scored 21 points to lead Bethlehem, which has beaten its last three opponents by an average margin of 33 points. Zane Thompson had 19 points, John Sica contributed 17 points and Conor Kirby added 11 points.
Brian Hayes netted 18 points, and Seamus McHugh added 11 points for Shaker.
Bethlehem traveled to Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Tuesday, Jan. 20, for its final cross-divisional game of the Suburban Council season. The Eagles host first-place Guilderland Friday, Jan. 23, in a rematch of the season opener Dec. 2, which the Dutchmen won 67-56.
After hosting Averill Park Jan. 20, Shaker meets Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Jan. 23 for a Suburban Council North Division game.
