Photos: Eagles Hold Off Redhawks In States Semis, Finish Second In State

On Saturday, March 21, the Bethlehem girls’ basketball squad competed in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association state competition in Class AA as they took on Section 1’s Nyack. The Eagles had to fend off a second-half surge from Nyack as they won, 50 to 46, and then fell to North Tonawanda in the championship game on Sunday, 57 to 37.

The Enterprise — Michael Koff

Cutting the corner: Eagles’ Lily Griesbach looks to drive to the basket against Redhawks’ Casey Cummings in the first quarter. Griesbach had eight points, two rebounds, four assists, and three steals.

The Enterprise — Michael Koff

Going up strong: Eagles’ Makaya McCann leaps up as she attempts to get off a layup as Redhawks’ Madelyn Peskie attempts to block it. McCann had seven points, five rebounds, one assist, and one steal.

The Enterprise — Michael Koff

Confident drive: Eagles’ Elizabeth Kearney drives down the lane as Redhawks’ Maya Corniel tries to slow her down. Kearney had nine points, two rebounds, one assist, one block, and four steals.

The Enterprise — Michael Koff

Cutting in front: Eagles’ Brynn Elfeldt steps in front of Redhawks’ Casey Cummings to steal the ball and take down the court.

The Enterprise — Michael Koff

Stop and pop: Eagles’ Brynn Elfeldt gets into the lane to leap up to take a shot in front of the Redhawks’ defense. Elfeldt led the Eagles with 15 points, four rebounds, two assists, one block, and two steals.

The Enterprise — Michael Koff

Fully extended: Eagles’ Ella McCarthy reaches out with her left arm as she looks to put up a layup as Redhawks’ Madelyn Peskie tries to block it. McCarthy had nine points, five rebounds, one assist, and four steals.

The Enterprise — Michael Koff

Gathering the loose ball: Eagles’ Ella McCarthy looks down at the ball as she gets her left hand onto it as Redhawks’ Elise Aikens tries to chase her down.

The Enterprise — Michael Koff

Quick shot: Eagles’ Macy Young looks to get off a three-point shot in front of the Redhawks’ Casey Cummings extended hand in the fourth quarter. Young had two points, five rebounds, and one steal.

The Enterprise — Michael Koff

Clean look: Eagles’ Lily Griesbach leaps up to take a three-point shot in the fourth quarter as teammate Niki Palas holds up three fingers. Griesbach had eight points, two rebounds, four assists, and three steals.

The Enterprise — Michael Koff

Wanting some defense: Bethlehem students cheer loudly and hold up a sign for their Eagles’ to play some defense to slow down the Redhawks’ scoring late in the fourth quarter.

The Enterprise — Michael Koff

Poised at the line: Eagles’ Elizabeth Kearney looks at the basket as she prepares to shoot the second free-throw late in the fourth quarter. Kearney had nine points, two rebounds, one assist, one block, and four steals.

The Enterprise — Michael Koff

Happy smiles: After the final buzzer sounded on Saturday afternoon, the Bethlehem reserves stormed towards their teammates as they jumped for joy that they would be battling for a state title.