Team effort overcomes halftime deficit
By Skip Pearlman
The Beacon High School girls’ basketball team rode a strong fourth quarter to a 38-36 victory over Haldane in the Holiday Classic Basketball Tournament at Spackenkill and Highland high schools on Dec. 28 and 29.
The Bulldogs, who trailed 17-13 at halftime, made a run with solid second half play, according to Coach Christina Dahl.
“After trailing at the half, we came out and played well in the third,” Dahl said. “In the fourth we put a little pressure on them; we played a little bit of man (defense), pressed full court and forced some mistakes. And we hit some shots.”
Dior Gillins finished with 13 points and was named to the All-Tournament team for Beacon. Skyler Kurtz and Grace Affeldt each added eight points and Lejdina Gecaj had five.
“Dior really played well for us,“ Dahl said. “She handles the pressure well. And Skyler, Grace and Lejdina all chipped in with valuable contributions. Everyone contributed to the victory.”
A day earlier against Highland, the Bulldogs came up on the short end of a 61-45 decision.
Kurtz and Anita Rodriguez each had 11 points to lead the Bulldogs (2-7) in the loss.
“It was a five-point game at halftime, but it got away from us,” Dahl said. “We ran out of steam and our shots were just not falling. Our defensive effort was not what it should have been. And Highland is a very talented team.”
Haldane also dropped its first game in the tournament, falling 53–33 to Millbrook.
Beacon will host Hendrick Hudson on Tuesday, Jan. 8, at 4:30 p.m.
“We are improving,“ Dahl said. “We’re seeing it in practice. Every day we’re getting stronger, and every day we’re getting more competitive. We’re really looking forward to our upcoming games.”
Haldane defeated visiting Bronxville, 54-36, on Jan. 3 and is scheduled to take on White Plains in the Peekskill Tournament on Jan. 10 at 4:30 p.m.
Photos by Skip Pearlman
