Eagles set to take flight
Bethlehem rebounds from slow start, has won 11 straight going into ‘AA’ sectionals
DELMAR — Two trips to Christian Brothers Academy in December proved to be uplifting for the Bethlehem boys’ basketball team as the Eagles emerged with the title at the Brothers’ Holiday Tournament. Nine days later after beating CBA in the title game, Bethlehem returned home with a 61-48 Suburban Council loss to the Brothers on Jan. 6.
At that point, the Eagles stood at three wins and five losses. Even though the ride home is not that long from CBA, there was enough time for some selfreflection.
“The bus rides home after losing are tough. The game is sort of still in your head,” Bethseed lehem senior point guard Logan Yohe said. “You are thinking about all the plays that could have gone our way. I think after that game, everybody was thinking about what could help us get better. We got locked in and got after it in practice.”
“We knew we were better,” Bethlehem freshman guard Kieran Barnes said. “We knew we could compete with the best teams and knew we needed to have conversations about what needed to change. Clearly, it did change.”
Since dropping their first two games from the 2023 portion of the schedule, Bethlehem has reeled off 11 straight victories. The Eagles (14-5), seeded No. 4, look to keep things rolling Wednesday when they host No. 13
Niskayuna (10-10) in the Class AA opening round.
Asked why things have changed, veteran Bethlehem coach AG Irons said, “We are healthy number one, which is important, and they have bought in wholeheartedly. I’ve got role players that get no minutes that are fantastic practice players and unbelievable teammates on the bench during games, on the bus and in the locker room.”
The bond and buy-in by Bethlehem throughout its roster is clearly evident seeing the Eagles play. The bench players are highly supportive on the sidelines and provide something when they are summoned into the games. Starters such as Yohe, Barnes, junior forward Cam Laclair, senior forward
Caden Bernardo and senior defensive stopper Kellen Stewart are grateful in being pushed and inspired by the bench.
“Everyone buying into their roles was vital. We have some players that don’t really play that much, but they still play very hard in practice and compete with the starters,” Laclair said. “All of them on the bench, whether they play or not, are super supportive during the game.”
“I think that is definitely one of the best parts of our team,” Yohe said. “All of those guys come to practice and work hard. Throughout the game, even if some of them are not going to get in, they still support us on the court. One of the best things is seeing my teammates celebrate.”
The play on the court over the past five weeks has been inspiring, including a 62-54 win at No. 1 Class AA seed Ballston Spa.
“It really showed us how good we were when we played as a team, together and at our best,” Laclair said. “That game revealed a lot of things about how good we can be.”
“That was definitely a high point for us,” Barnes said. “We had won three or four in a row. Things had started to change. We went in with a very good game plan and we executed it.”
“Everyone was doing all the right things and their job,” said Irons, who also commended assistant coach Mark Nealon’s diligent work in scouting opponents. “We are never really flashy or highlight-reel material. We just try to get the job done.”
Leclair, who tallied 23 points against Ballston Spa, tops the team in scoring at 14.1 points per game, followed closely by the trio of Barnes (12.6 ppg), Yohe (11.3 ppg) and Bernardo (11.2 ppg).
Yohe and his teammates know Niskayuna, despite its seeding, is a worthy opponent that owns wins over No. 2 seed CBA and No. 5 Green Tech.
“Yeah, the winning streak is great, but we’re all 0-0 now,” Yohe said.