GRAHAMSVILLE, NY — In Basketball 101, the rulebook says it’s always a good omen to post a win in your first game of the new season.

On Friday, December 6, the Lady Bears of Tri-Valley must have been paying attention, because in the wake of finishing 13-4 last year, they kicked off the new season of hoops with a 37-point win. They defeated the Lady Ganders of Rondout Valley 58-21 in the season opener for both varsity squads.

Tri-Valley is moving up a notch this year, as they are now a Class B high school. Previously, they competed against Class C institutions.

“We’re going to be playing larger, tougher schools, and we’re hoping for a repeat of last year’s winning season,” said Lady Bears returning coach Jason Close. He is assisted on the hardwood by Skylar Musa and Tim Dymond.

On the road to victory, Tri-Valley outscored their opponents 18-9 in the first frame, 8-5 in the second, 16-3 in the third and 16-4 in the final period.

Top scorers for the Lady Bears (1-0): Jenna Carmody (18 points, including 2 three-pointers); Kaitlin Stungis (12 points, including a three-pointer); and Allyson Chevalier (11 points, including a three-pointer).

For Rondout Valley (0-1), it was Jalyssa Garcia (9 points) and Elizabeth Hanigan with a three-pointer. Last year, the Lady Ganders finished 9-11.

The Lady Bears of 2024-2025 are led on the court by a trio of upperclass captains: Jenna Carmody, Kaitlin Stungis and Jordan Dymond.

“It’s one of my favorites,” said Carmody of the sport of hoops, as she has been on varsity for five years.

Dymond echoed her teammate’s sentiments about the “intensity” of the game, adding that the squad’s overall goal is “to win sectionals.”