Boys Basketball: Valley Uses Defense to Stifle Demarest in Season Opener

In a game where Pascack Valley scored 72 points, the key to this win was...

The defense?

"Demarest does not have a sped up game so we wanted to use this defense to make them feel uncomfortable," said Senior Kyle Schneider, "and we did just that."

The defense he was talking about? The 1-3-1 zone.

With a stout defense and efficient offense, Pascack Valley came out of Demarest with a 72-43 win on Friday Night. 

A traditionally man to man team, Pascack Valley worked on the 1-3-1 run and jump defense all week in practice. They hoped this defense would surprise the Norsemen and force them out of their game.

"We have practiced it so much," added Schneider, "but will only use it at certain times during the year."

In the first quarter alone, Pascack Valley caused countless turnovers on defense to give them a 23-7 lead after the opening period.

The second quarter was no different, as the Indians took a demanding 38-16 lead into intermission.

The second half was more of the same. More Demarest turnovers combined with a balanced scoring attack made the Indian's season opener a blowout. 

The scoring was led by Juniors Kyle and Ryan Onderdonk. The sharpshooting pair combined for 34 points and made a handful of three pointers.

Senior Kyle Schneider controlled the middle while Chris Jackson and Nick Soravilla ran the offense.

After losing four starters from last year's squad, some believed it would take time for the newcomers to gel together. Little do they know that more than half the players on Valley's team have ample varsity experience. 

This is certainly a good start for the Indians, but nothing more than that. Pascack Valley will get back to work as they face Teaneck, the best team in North Jersey, on Tuesday night. 

"It's a great confidence booster for the team," said Schneider "because we know that this next game is going to be a challenge. It was good to get this win and start the season off right."

In the locker room immediately following the game, Coach Al Coleman was already thinking about Tuesday's match-up with Teaneck.

"Let's shock the world boys," he said. "Lets shock the world."

@Feartheindian