River Dell Varsity Boys Basketball Team snaps losing skid with a win over Indian Hills

The River Dell Golden Hawks Varsity Boys Basketball Team(4-5, 1-2 Big North Patriot) broke a three-game losing streak with a 56-49 victory over the Indian Hills Braves(3-6, 1-2 Big North Patriot) at River Dell High School in Oradell, New Jersey.

Aditya Pandya poured in a game-high 19 points, while David Nunez and Patrick Sweeny each tallied 13 points.

"We were just a couple of mistakes away from being the team we really are," Aditya Pandya explained. "It was just the turnovers, and we knew as soon as we cleaned that up, we had so much more potential throughout the year." "None of us really got down and we kept our foot on the pedal to capture this win today."

"Me, Pat(Sweeny), David(Nunzez) and Will(Brunner) have all been in this situation before and last year we started off 3-6 and kind of familiar spot for us to be in and didn't give up." "We didn't give up and knew we could make the same turnaround as we did last year and have to keep at it and working in practice, studying game film and did more of that."

Aditya Pandya, on the message from River Dell Head Coach Ron Van Saders, "He told us we would have to go through some adversity throughout the season and it's not a very rare place that we've been in before and he knew at any given point we could turn it around." "We just have to start coming out of the game firing and alive in the second half and pushing that agenda."

The Golden Hawks adhered to the message by Head Coach Ron Van Saders by jumping out to a quick 8-0 advantage in the first two and a half minutes of the first quarter. Pat Sweeny and David Nunenz each burying trifectas.

Indian Hills ignited a rebuttal led by Charlie Brugna, netting seven points as the Braves closed the gap to 14-12 at the end of the period.

"It was a good feeling because we haven't had that start since the first game of the season against Dumont," Aditya Pandya described. "Being able to come out alive, see our press working and causing turnovers." "We were causing them to make quick decisions that led to steals and then us just moving around in the offense, playing smart and not really trying to force anything against the zone and getting two open shots." "It showed we were patient, doing our jobs and that can be a good team from the start."

In the second quarter, River Dell managed to bump the lead back up to nine points behind the solid contributions from the bench. Will Brunner, Nick Clar, Josh Oiker, and Regan Joyce combined to score 11 points, leading to a Golden Hawks 29-20 advantage at halftime.

"We have two sophomores coming off the bench and Josh Oliker came into the game and had four points off the bat and two assists and showed when calm and composed he can be a very valuable player," Aditya Pandya noted. "The same with Nick Clark, he's a threat from the outside that stretches the floor and defense which gives us more opportunities inside and had a great back door that led to a layup."

"I feel over biggest component off the bench has been Joe Saylik, he's come in multiple times with intensity and care for the sport and radiating within the team that showed and helps push the team forward." "He can play lockdown defense, rebound and block shots and make the shots too and really great to have on the team."

"We actually had zero turnovers at halftime which we haven't had the whole year, and it was a good feeling not to be struggling with turnovers at the half because every other game except the first one and had to just keep at it with a nine-point lead." "We knew that basketball is a game of runs and had to be ready for that."

Once the third quarter commenced, the Golden Hawks extended the lead to double digits on a triple by Pat Sweeny. River Dell maintained a double-digit margin until Indian Hills answered back with a 7-2 spurt late and relying on the scoring output of Connor Matthews(14 points), dropping eight points that trimmed the deficit to 39-32 heading to the final frame.

In the fourth quarter, the Golden Hawks got back into their rhythm on a three-point play by Pat Sweeny to make it 42-32, but the Braves answered back with blistering shooting from behind the arc, sinking four treys in the period.

River Dell could not cool off Charlie Brugna(20 points), and he delivered an additional eight points. Indian Hills narrowed the lead to 50-46 midway through the quarter.

The Golden Hawks regained their composure as Aditya Pandya converted back-to-back shots inside the paint and low post. Pandya recorded seven points, while David Nunez added six points as River Dell held on for the win.

"David(Nunez) has unbelievable vision and sees everything on the court and he's strong and intense kid," Aditya Pandya stated. "He plays with good pace and knows how to play the game of basketball."

"Pat's(Sweeny) is a knockdown shooter, this off-season worked on being able to get downhill and handle the ball and make the right reads." "Both of them are very smart players which really helps compliment the team and have two other guys that I can rely on to make shots and or good passes and helps us play very well."

"Being 6'8 I had a major advantage over everyone else and they didn't have too much size and kept their big kid sitting for the bulk of the fourth." "I know crashing the boards would be a benefit to our team and I was just in the right spots at the right time and using my size to get a putback off a missed shot." "David and Pat were able to find me at open times."

"I didn't know going into my senior year and this offseason I would be able to play every game because I tore my ACL, but I worked to come back and be there for my team and teammates and main goal." "I wanted to provide for my team and teammates because I want to win as many games as possible because it's my last time playing with these guys and enjoy the final moments with them."

River Dell returns to action on Thursday, January 16th, at Mahwah with tip-off before returning home for games against West Essex on Saturday, January 18th, at 1 p.m., followed by Pascack Hills on Tuesday, January 21st, at 4:15 p.m.

"We just have to play our game, minimize the turnovers and play patient we could win every game coming up on our schedule," Aditya Pandya remarked. "Mahwah plays a zone, and we have game plan around that." "West Essex we have played them a couple of times and they're going to be well-coached." "Pascack Hills is another team we have had a rivalry with and team we have played right down to the bones and have to be ready with the right mindset and game plan around them effectively and be ready to play."

"I love playing home games, they're always fun and the crowd supporting and having your back." "You have Mrs. Brunner and Mrs. Milnes yelling at you from the side to tell you what to do and just great having that energy and pushed the team forward and team wanting to play for something and give the crowd a show and really helps us to win."