Check out the highlights from Thursday night's girls' basketball win over Shaker in the Section 2 Class AA semifinals.
The Falcons immediately ran away the lead and the Bison were never able to catch up – 16-3 (quarter 1), 29-20 (quarter 2) and 34-28 (quarter 3) and 45-40 (final).
Ninth-grader Azera Gates led the Falcons with 21 points, sinking many clutch free throws in the fourth quarter as Shaker attempted to inch closer, and Shonyae Edmonds added 11 points and six rebounds.
As it has been for much of their outstanding season, defense was the key for the Falcons. Gates had three huge steals late in the fourth quarter, and Jordan Johnson, Imani Walcott and Iyana Weeden also contributed tenacious defensive efforts to lead Albany High to its first championship game since 2016.
You can read more about the win, and the Falcons' upcoming rematch with Shenendehowa in Saturday night's final, in Friday's Times Union.
Tip-off is 6 p.m. at HVCC and tickets can be purchased via this link.
