For the first time in school history, Berne-Knox-Westerlo hosted both a girls’ and boys’ sectional basketball game, back to back, on Tuesday. Each team won its Class C first-round game in a blow out –– the boys, 74 to 44, over Maple Hill, and the girls, 71 to 46, over Canajoharie –– and so many fans packed the school that closed-circuit television had to be run to the auditorium.

Senior Liz Harvey, far left, who scored 18 points, slices past the Cougars’ defense, while Makayla McCormick, middle left, who scored 14 points, goes up for a lay-up. Mary Salo added a triple-double for the Bulldogs with 14 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 blocks. “We really click on all cylinders when everyone contributes,” girls’ Head Coach Tom Galvin said. “If we play to our capability, then we should be able to win.” BKW (18-1), the third seed, plays Greenwich, the 11th seed, on Friday at 6 p.m. at Maple Hill.

The BKW boys will play Lake George, the second seed, at Shenendehowa on Friday at 8 p.m. after “sucking Maple Hill’s energy right out of the building” on Tuesday, Coach Andy Wright said. The Bulldogs ran the Wildcats down with depth and quick transition play. Senior Garrett Pitcher, middle right, who scored 26 points, goes up for a shot. Jake Farnam, far right, who had six rebounds and five steals, grabs the ball out of mid-air. “We have a legitimate shot to make a playoff run,” Wright said. “We will not go out without a competitive game, and we have Garrett as our X-Factor.”

–– Jordan J. Michael

Photos by Michael Koff