River Dell Varsity Girls Basketball Team caps off 2024 with a dominating win over Waldwick in the Joe Poli Tournament

The River Dell Golden Hawks Varsity Girls Basketball Team(4-1) rebounded from their first loss of the season to Old Tappan in resounding fashion with an 80-51 victory over once previously undefeated Waldwick Warriors(5-1) in the Joe Poli Tournament.

River Dell had four players in double figures, showcasing their balanced offensive prowess. Val Visconti, the team's top scorer, led the charge with 22 points, demonstrating her scoring ability. Alex DePol, known for her three-point shooting, contributed 14 points, while Kasey Ziegler and Morgan Sconza added 12 and 11 points, respectively, displaying their versatility on the court.

The Golden Hawks were off and running from the opening tap by jumping out to a 16-4 advantage four minutes into the first quarter. Alex DePol sizzling from behind the arc, burying three trifectas.

Meanwhile, Val Visconti contributed six points, and Morgan Sconza added five points that propelled River Dell to a commanding 27-11 lead at the end of the quarter.

"I was excited about that and you want to bounce back and that's the first time we played against a 2-1-2 defense and the head coach(Waldwick) kept mixing up the defenses to be more aggressive," River Dell Head Coach Lindsay Steffner explained. "We haven't seen that type of defense so I was a little nervous and I know we have good shooters and after not shooting well on Saturday that we got the looks we wanted and the team needed some confidence early in the game."

In the second quarter, Waldwick managed to trim the deficit to single digits at 32-24. However, the Golden Hawks stemmed the tide by ending the first half on an 8-0 spurt. The Golden Hawks rely on their size, pounding the offense glass that led to second-chance opportunities, and Kasey Ziegler and Val Visconti combined to score nine points.

"We weathered the storm and changed our defenses a little bit and wanted to throw some pressure," Head Coach Lindsay Steffner described. "Kasey picking up her third foul wasn't the greatest timing but Hope(Arturi) came off the bench and able to mix up the lineup with a guard for a post player and changed our offensive scheme because we couldn't go inside as much." "Hope hit some good shots and got her hands on the ball and gave us another guard that is an offensive threat."

Once the third quarter commenced, River Dell's offense erupted. Six players reached the score sheet and continued to be in the zone from long distance, as Morgan Sconza drained a pair of triples, Alex DePol cannoned her fourth trey of the game, and Val Visconti dominated in the low post and paint, tallying eight points.

The Golden Hawks rapidly increased their lead to 20 plus points, overwhelmingly leading 68-39 at the end of the quarter. River Dell emptied the bench in the final frame as they cruised to the win.

"I wanted them to keep up the intensity and I told them that Waldwick is undefeated and beat Pascack Valley in a great game and they're well-coached," Head Coach Lindsay Steffner noted. "They have some really tough players and good shooters on the outside, so I wanted to mix up our defenses a little bit and work on some things." "It's just a matter of us running and getting up and down the court and getting some fresh legs in there and the game went on without us really losing a whole lot of steam."

River Dell improved its record to 4-1 in the 2024-25 season. Last year, the Golden Hawks went 17-8 and 8-2 in the Big North Patriot. In the first round of the NJSIAA North 1, Group 3 state playoffs, River Dell defeated Montville 74-60 before falling to Demarest 79-66 in the Quarterfinals.

"We're having a good time and that's a big part of coaching and really enjoy being in the gym with the players," Head Coach Lindsay Steffner noted. "They're asking good questions and learning there's a lot of team camaraderie and really like each other on and off court." "They're together on and off the court which helps when they're on the court together and having to play through some adversity and there's great leadership."

"Kasey and Morgan have been with me for a while and have a strong voice in practice and getting them to speak up and show leadership is very key right now." "We do have some younger players on the bench that want to get some more time and minutes that don't have much varsity experience, but this is a good year for them to play under from really good leadership and the learn from the best." "Last year we lost some major players and graduated Sofia Sanchez."

In her tenth season as Head Coach of the River Dell Golden Hawks Varsity Girls Basketball Team, Lindsay Steffner reached a significant milestone, recording her 200th career win in a 51-25 victory over the Holy Angels in the Joe Poli Tournament.

"It's a great time to reflect on the coaching career and how many kids I've coached and families involved with this, my assistant coaches and Denis Nelson giving me the opportunity to come to River Dell and Greg Butler to give me the start at Demarest," Head Coach Lindsay Steffner stated. "200 wins is a nice way to kind of look back and reflect on all the great players I've had and relationship with those players." "We don't do it for the wins but the experience."

"Having Brian Pepe, Brandon Flanagan as a former coach and the athletic community and even getting an email from DJ(Nimphius) saying great job with 200 wins and it's just not basketball and a really nice coaching community at River Dell." "A lot of veterans and people that have been around this place for a while."

"The tournament is one of the longest running tournaments in North Jersey and started by Coach(Jeff) jasper and even as a player a big deal to play in this tournament and the gym used to be packed and crowded and great atmosphere." "We see different schools now in Waldwick and Secaucus and we play crossover games against Pascack Valley and Old Tappan." "Coach Jasper brings in new teams every year that are going to compete."

"It's a great tournament with really good coaches and very well-respected in North Jersey and played against when I was younger and worked for and used to go to Sue Liddy's camp and to be among that group has been a wild ride for me and to go full circle."

"I've been trying to work hard to get up to that level and hundreds of wins below many of them but to compete against them and watch film and see what they're going and how they strategize and motivate and there's a lot of lessons I'm still learning from them and it's fun to be part of that."

The Golden Hawks return to action on Tuesday, January 7th, when they host the Ramsey Rams in the Big North league opener. Tip-off is at 4:15 p.m. at River Dell High School in Oradell, New Jersey.

"There's no place like home and we enjoy playing at home and on our court," Head Coach Lindsay Steffner remarked. "The new court and adjustments the Board of Ed has taken do that and with Denis's leadership there and a great place to watch a game."

"It's always in our favor with the fans that we get in the seats and playing in front of our fans every night and when there's alumni back in town." "We had the alumni game and parents want to see their kids play again." "It's nice to have that community support and even gave followers on Instagram and people are commenting about certain milestones or certain things happening during the season and get that feedback."

"I have pinch myself because I'm living my dream right now and not many people get to say that get to do what they want and aspire to when you were 13 or 14 years-old and wanted to be a teacher and coach." "To do it back here at River Dell and with great kids and families and a community I'm part of and been in their shoes it's very wild ride and great opportunity for me and the stars aligned."