The dissolution of the Big 10 — with what one coach described as a run-and-gun style — is affecting basketball play throughout the region.

Berne-Knox-Westerlo’s basketball schedule for the 2014-15 season has two games against former Big 10 team Bishop Gibbons. Sure, Head Coach Tim Moseman wanted the Bulldogs to have some top out-of-conference competition, but he was also looking to get familiarized with a team that will most likely join the Western Athletic Conference next year.

“It’s not definite yet, but it’s pretty much a done deal,” said Moseman this week; BKW lost to Bishop Gibbons for the second time this season last Friday, 64 to 52. “I scheduled them twice for that reason,” the coach said.

The Big 10 league dissolved last year. Four of the schools — Bishop Gibbons, Bishop Maginn, LaSalle, and Christian Brothers Academy — are private, facing trends of declining enrollment.

“That’s the sign of the times; it’s tough,” said Guilderland Head Coach Mike Parks. “There are a lot of questions to be answered. It’s sad that the Big 10 went away, and there’s even some rumors of Maginn being in jeopardy of closing its doors.”      

Mike Lilac, who heads the Section 2 Executive Committee, told The Enterprise that, according to the Section 2 constitution, all schools must be placed in a league, and each school can request a certain league.

Lilac said that the following has been recommended for the 2015-16 basketball season:

— Suburban Council: Christian Brothers Academy, Troy, Schenectady, and Albany;

— Colonial Council: LaSalle and Catholic Central;

— Patroon Conference: Green Tech;

— Western Athletic Conference: Bishop Gibbons; and

— Central Hudson Valley League: Bishop Maginn.

Guilderland, currently unbeaten at 8-0, defeated Troy earlier this season, and will play CBA later on. The Dutchmen also play Albany Academy, which is trying to petition for Section 2 reinstatement, said Parks.

Or is that just another rumor that Parks has been hearing?

“I don’t know, but the committee has a headache on their hands,” Parks said. “People will be unhappy.”

The Suburban Council will be a natural place for CBA, Troy, Schenectady, and Albany, said Parks. “We all end up playing each other anyways; we can’t hide from anyone,” he said. “Being in AA, we’re always playing good teams, and I like to think of that as an advantage.”

^{_{Over his head: Junior Justin Houck led Berne-Knox-Westerlo with 15 points during a home loss to Bishop Gibbons last Friday; Shawn Berard scored 17 for the Golden Knights. Here, Houck looks to pass the ball. The Bulldogs were 3-3 heading into a game against Schoharie on Tuesday. The Enterprise — Michael Koff}}

Gibbons, a Class A private school, would do well in the WAC, which includes Class C and D schools. The Golden Knights didn’t have much success in the Big 10. Three other WAC teams — Saratoga Central Catholic, Mekeel Christian Academy, and Duanesburg — also played Bishop Gibbons this season.

“It’s pressure basketball, up-tempo, and physical,” said Moseman of how those former Big 10 teams play. “The WAC isn’t run-and-gun like that; it’s not as aggressive. We’ve got smaller schools.”

BKW doesn’t match up well against Bishop Gibbons, Moseman said. “We’re not big like them and we rushed our shots,” he added. “We knew what to expect with the pressure this time, but we didn’t execute well, which wasn’t expected because we were executing well before. It’s back to the drawing board.”

Playing Bishop Gibbons has been a learning experience for the Bulldogs as Moseman says that his players feel more comfortable going against other WAC teams. BKW (2-0, 4-3) got back on track by beating Schoharie on Tuesday, 56 to 49. Sophomore Zack Hilton scored 26 points; he made five three-pointers.

There was too much individualism and too many mistakes in BKW’s two losses to Bishop Gibbons, Moseman said. The game plans fell apart.

“You need a full fleet every night, everyone playing together as a focused team,” said Moseman. “We’ve seen some of that already, but our players have great individual qualities, and some want to try and take the game over.”

^{_{Eddie Slaver waits for the referee’s signal to inbound the ball for Berne-Knox-Westerlo during last Friday’s home game against Bishop Gibbons. Slaver scored 13 points, including two three-pointers, but the Bulldogs lost, 64 to 52. The Enterprise — Michael Koff}}