RHINEBECK – The Bears punched their ticket to Sectionals earlier this season with a big home win over Sullivan West after defeating S.S. Seward earlier in the season. Their 2-2 division record afforded them a No. 5 seed, and a trip to Rhinebeck to take on the No. 4 Hawks in the opening round of Sectionals on Saturday.

Rhinebeck, though coming in as the No. 4 seed, has the potential to take the Class C crown this year with the caliber of basketball that they are playing on the MHAL side of Section 9.

The Rhinebeck gym was packed and loud, and the Bears had a tough time competing against the Hawks’ size advantage.

Both teams started out exchanging baskets, including five early points by Bears’ leading scorer Zach Kitaychik, but by the end of the first quarter Rhinebeck had a 13-7 lead. The Hawks would never relinquish the lead, going on to win 60-29.

The Bears had a great turnaround season after missing the playoffs last year, and while an early exit is sure to leave a bitter taste, the team showed a great amount of fight this year and have something to build off of in the coming seasons.