This time, the stage wasn’t too big for the Bethlehem girls basketball team.
Gabby Giacone scored 25 points, and Jenna Giacone added 18 points to lead the Lady Eagles (20-2) to a 55-46 victory over Shenendehowa in the Section 2 Class AA finals Tuesday, March 10, at the Times Union Center.
The result was far different than Bethlehem’s previous trip to the Sectional final — a 64-47 loss to Albany in 2013. The Giacone sisters combined to score 27 points that night, but they were no match for Emia Willingham-Hurst and the Lady Falcons.
“We were young and immature two years ago, but we grew up as a team,” said Gabby Giacone.
“Having six people coming back from that team two years ago, our maturity showed,” added Jenna Giacone.
The Lady Eagles’ maturity showed in how they defended top-seeded Shen (20-2). Rather than play zone and try to double-team the Plainsmen’s leading scorers, Carly Boland and Sydney Brown, they stuck to a man-to-man defense and made Shen hit contested shots. Shen made only 38 percent of its shots, including a 2-for-14 effort from behind the three-point arc.
“It was a whole new aspect for us playing man against them, but it worked out great,” said Gabby Giacone.
Bethlehem also dominated the glass. The Lady Eagles out-rebounded Shen 20-9 in the first half as they built a 31-19 halftime lead and finished the night with a 37-26 advantage on the boards. Gabby Giacone grabbed nine rebounds, while Jenna Giacone and Maggie Kirby each pulled down six boards.
“It goes back to my old adage: defense wins games, but rebounding wins championships,” said Bethlehem coach Matt Bixby.
Gabby Giacone kickstarted Bethlehem’s offense. The Northeastern University-bound senior scored the Lady Eagles’ first seven points and 13 of Bethlehem’s 18 points in the first quarter as Bethlehem opened up an 18-11 lead.
“Gabby is the most dominant player in the section,” said Bixby. “I knew she was going to come out very intense and very focused.”
“She came out, and she carried the momentum for the game and our team,” added Jenna Giacone.
Sophomore guard Emily Wander contributed seven points, but none more important than the deep three-pointer she drained to start the second quarter. Back-to-back threes by Jenna Giacone later in the period pushed Bethlehem’s lead to 29-15, and Shen never recovered.
“I hit the first (three), and I thought, ‘Why not do it again?’” said Jenna Giacone.
Brown led Shen with 12 points and 11 rebounds, but Boland was limited to eight points on 4-of-13 shooting from the field against Bethlehem’s relentless defense.
Bethlehem advances to the Class AA regionals Saturday, March 14, at Colgate University, against seven-time Section 3 champion Cicero-North Syracuse. The Lady Eagles are riding a 14-game winning streak into their match-up against the North Stars (19-1).
“It’s a machine they have out there,” said Bixby. “It’s going to be a challenge, but we’re looking forward to it.”
“I think we definitely have the momentum. I think we’re a team to be reckoned with,” said Gabby Giacone.
