Bethlehem girls' basketball team reaches state championship game

Eagles, who were 3 games under .500 in regular season, beat Nyack in NYSPHSAA Class AA semifinals

Mar. 21, 2026 at 9:51pm

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The Bethlehem High School girls' basketball team, which entered the playoffs with a 10-13 record, continued its Cinderella run by defeating Nyack 50-46 in the NYSPHSAA Class AA semifinals on Saturday. The Eagles will now face North Tonawanda in the state championship game on Sunday. Bethlehem led by as many as 15 points in the first half but had to hold off a second-half comeback by Nyack and its star sophomore Rakiya Mohammed, who scored 14 of her game-high 21 points after halftime.

Why it matters

Bethlehem's improbable playoff run has captivated the local community, as the team was three games under .500 during the regular season but is now one win away from a state championship. The Eagles' success highlights the unpredictable nature of high school sports playoffs and the ability of a determined team to overcome the odds.

The details

Bethlehem jumped out to a 31-20 halftime lead, but Nyack slowly chipped away at the deficit in the second half. The Eagles made just 4 of 21 field goals in the second half but hit 20 of 25 free throws to hold on for the victory. A key 3-pointer by Bethlehem's Lily Griesbach at the end of the third quarter helped the Eagles regain momentum. Bethlehem got balanced scoring, with Brynn Elfeldt leading the way with 15 points.

  • The NYSPHSAA Class AA girls' basketball semifinals took place on Saturday, March 21, 2026.
  • The NYSPHSAA Class AA girls' basketball championship game is scheduled for Sunday, March 22, 2026 at 11:45 a.m.

The players

Bethlehem High School

A public high school located in Bethlehem, New York that has reached the state championship game in girls' basketball despite entering the playoffs with a 10-13 record.

Nyack High School

A public high school located in Nyack, New York that lost to Bethlehem in the NYSPHSAA Class AA semifinals.

Lily Griesbach

A junior point guard for Bethlehem High School who hit a key 3-pointer at the end of the third quarter to help the Eagles regain momentum.

Rakiya Mohammed

A sophomore at Nyack High School who scored a game-high 21 points, including 14 in the second half, in the losing effort against Bethlehem.

Brynn Elfeldt

An eighth-grader at Bethlehem High School who led the Eagles with 15 points in the semifinal victory.

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What they’re saying

“If you told people a month ago that we'd be playing for a state championship, people would say, 'What the heck?' And, now, here we are.”

— Lily Griesbach, Junior point guard, Bethlehem High School

“They just will not give up, this team. They do not give up. They play within themselves and they execute the game plan.”

— Trish Piccini, Head coach, Bethlehem High School

“It's so crazy. Everyone works so hard and it's paid off. We made it this far.”

— Brynn Elfeldt, Eighth-grader, Bethlehem High School

What’s next

Bethlehem will face North Tonawanda in the NYSPHSAA Class AA girls' basketball championship game on Sunday, March 22, 2026 at 11:45 a.m.

The takeaway

Bethlehem's remarkable playoff run, which has seen the team overcome a sub-.500 regular season record to reach the state championship game, is a testament to the resilience and determination of the players and coaches. Their Cinderella story has captivated the local community and serves as an inspiring example of how anything is possible when a team comes together and refuses to give up.