Colonie Girls Varsity Basketball looks to take home their 8th and second consecutive sectional title.

By Sienna Wheeler 

March 6, 2025

COLONIE-  After a strong regular season, the optimistic players on Colonie’s girls varsity basketball team are determined to be back to back Class AAA Section 2 champions. 

After ending their season with a 15-5 record, Colonie girls managed to earn the 2-seed in and receive a first round bye, which means they automatically advance to the semifinals in the Section 2 sectional tournament.  The 3-seed, Albany, successfully took down 6-seed Saratoga in the quarter finals, advancing them to the semifinals where they will play Colonie on the night of March 7.  

After ending their season with eight straight wins, Colonie’s star players have a good feeling about the postseason.

Senior captain Kayden Cornell feels like the team is very prepared after Coach DiBiase and Coach Pearson gave the team their needed rest days, but also pushed them with scrimmages and practice the week leading up to their first game of the postseason.  Cornell also makes note of how their team chemistry has improved over the course of the season and her support for her teammates is something that she prides herself in as a leader. 

“I always remind them (her younger teammates) that we’re okay and especially when we’re up, there’s no reason to stress about any mistakes being made,” says the captain.

Cornell also expresses what it would mean to her winning the championships as a senior and for two consecutive years as she says “That would mean a lot to me especially because last year we lost in regionals, so I would like to win regionals too”.

Junior Aliana Payne has similar thoughts when it comes to their team’s strengths this season.  She says that their team’s chemistry and being able to adjust successfully on the fly throughout the course of the season are really advantageous characteristics to have as a team looking to win another championship. 

“It would really prove to people that we are actually a good team,” Payne says.

Aliyah Pearson, a star underclassmen, second year varsity player, and sophomore is especially excited for this opportunity to have a chance to compete for another championship.  Coming off of last year’s title game win against Shaker, Pearson is a lot more comfortable under pressure.

“I think I know what to expect going into a big gym with a lot of fans," says Pearson.

Last year as a freshman, Pearson had 18 points, 4 assists, and went 6-8 from the 3 point line in the title game against Shaker which Colonie won 66-49.  

Last year’s win marked the 7th sectional title for Colonie girls basketball history.  Cornell, Payne, and Pearson are ready to take on Albany this week as they look to earn their 8th sectional title.

“We’re not going to take either of them lightly,” says Pearson regarding their upcoming games.

Colonie beat Albany 70-60 in their regular season matchup.  They beat Shen 65-60 and lost to Shaker 49-46 in regular season heaters.

The winner of the Colonie (2) vs. Albany (3) game and the winner of the Shaker (1) vs. Shen (4) game will play each other in the 2025 Class AAA Section 2 championship on March 10, 2025 at Hudson Valley Community College.