Both Boys and Girls Basketball played for their lives on
Tuesday. It was either win or go home. It was do or die. Did they step up to
the challenge? Let’s find out.
Girls Basketball:
Pascack Valley 37, Mount Olive 27
4 years.
After 4 years of blood, sweat, and tears, the five Pascack
Valley Seniors knew this was the last game they would play on their home floor.
However, they were so focused on their game against Mt.
Olive that the thought never seemed to cross their mind.
When I asked Seniors Dara Liebeskind and Sara Petro about
how they felt about playing their last home game, both responded with, “Oh wow.
I didn’t even realize that.”
That focus and determination at the task at hand is a big
reason Pascack Valley came away with a 37-27 win over Mount Olive in the first
round of the state tournament.
It was a sloppy first quarter for the Indians. Although they
were getting open shots by passing through the Mount Olive zone, nothing would
go down in the early going. Both teams combined for 10 points, 5 each, by the
time the first quarter had ended.
The scoring started to pick up in the second. Leading scorer
Michelle Garay started hitting from the outside while Liebeskind and Petro
chipped in with baskets of their own. After a back and forth first 16 minutes,
Pascack Valley went into halftime with a 16-15 lead.
Balance was definitely one thing Pascack Valley displayed in
the first half. Five players scored, but they only combined for 16 points. I’m
sure Coach Jasper told his girls to attack the zone because of how soft Mount
Olive was playing.
Whatever Jasper told them at halftime, it worked.
Pascack Valley came out on a 6-0 run to take a 22-15 lead
before Mount Olive could even blink. The defense continued to cause havoc and
the Indians departed the third quarter with a 7-point lead.
In the final game at Pascack Valley, it was only fitting
that the Seniors closed the game out. Throughout the quarter, they handled the
press and put Pascack Valley on top.
Final Score: Pascack Valley 37, River Dell 27
With the win, the 6th seeded Indians will take on
River Dell in the Quarterfinals on Thursday night.
With a stellar defense that has already been established
throughout the season, offensive efficiency will the key to advancing.
After four years and everything they have been through,
there is only one thing on the mind of the seniors.
Survive and advance.
Shoutout to my girl
Dara Liebeskind.
Record: 17-9
Next game: Thursday,
February 27th at 7 PM against River Dell (7 PM)
_______________________
Boys Basketball:
Pascack Valley 78, Northern Highlands 64
Article will be up when Jamie Seymour decides to answer my
questions about his outstanding game.
Record: 15-12
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