Eagles Poised For Title Run After Beating Cba

Bethlehem's Michael Ortale Goes Up For A Lay Up In A Game Against Christian Brothers Academy on January 11th, 2019. Photo By: Dylan Friebel

DYLAN FRIEBEL - COLONIE, NY

Bethlehem Pulls away from Christian Brother Academy in Suburban Council play Friday Night to win 62-54 and Improve to 12-0 Overall and 8-0 in league play, while CBA Fell to 5-4 Overall and 4-4 In League Play.

It looked to be CBA who would get out the an early start as the game went back and forth and a rhythm was established, however by the end of the first quarter it was Bethlehem who had the lead 13-12 and were looking to pull away.

The flow of game was fast and it was working in Cba’s favor. With the up and down pace, the brothers got out and ran and they were able to build a 30-26 lead with 5 seconds left in the half before Bethlehem Senior Michael Ortale drilled a three and looked to take momentum back from the Brothers.

“The pace was fast in the first half.” Ortale Commented. “They were playing good and knocking down shots and i honestly just was not hitting in the first half but we took the momentum away from them for a little bit there with the shot I hit at the end of the half and I think it helped us a lot.”

As the second half got started it was still a back and forth affair, with two good friends Jordan King and Michael Ortale throwing haymakers with each possession and the gym getting louder along the way. It was Cba who had the lead at the end of three 49-47 however Bethlehem turned up the heat in the fourth and pulled away to win.

“I was hitting shots in the third tonight and then the defense really keyed in on me in the fourth.” King said. “They played a great game tonight and all these close loses certainly fuel us and we want to see them again come playoff time that's for sure.”

The Eagles have set themselves up for a run at a second Sectional title in three years and coach A.G. Irons knows the experience that Captain Michael Ortale had on the 2016 squad is key.

“Having a kid like him on our team is invaluable.” He said. “He was there in 2016 when we won it, although he had to take somewhat of a backseat then, he has the four years of starting experience on Varsity. Despite getting hurt last year he lead from the sidelines and he’s key.”

With the win over Cba Friday Night, Bethlehem might have just established themselves on top of the wide open Section 2 Mountain to once again lay claim to the section title. Them and Saratoga are the last two unbeaten squads left in Class AA and they square off Tuesday in Bethlehem.