River Dell Varsity Girls basketball team prevails in a back-and-forth battle against Westwood

The River Dell Golden Hawks Varsity Girls Basketball Team(13-4, 7-0 Big North Patriot) outlasted the Westwood Cardinals(11-8, 4-3 Big North Patriot) in a highly charged competitive and playoff atmosphere contest 56-51 and won their third game in a row at River Dell High School in Oradell, New Jersey.

Morgan Sconza led the charge with a game-high 16 points, while Dalia Interiano and Kasey Ziegler each added 12 points, and Val Visconti supplied 10, showcasing a balanced offensive effort.

Westwood was led by Leah Olives, scoring 11 points, while Erin Gashler contributed 10 points.

The Golden Hawks' stifling defense limited Cardinals leading scorer Cameron Roche to seven points, and Alexa DePol did a stellar job defending Roche during the game.

"I knew this game would come down to a possession or two," River Dell Head Coach Lindsay Steffner explained. "Once Westwood got (Cameron) Roche back and they're playing at a different confidence level and shooting the ball better and playing scrappy and I knew coming into our place it would be a battle."

"Alexa(DePol) did a great job on defense and a lockdown defender and I usually put her on the bigger, athletic guards and for rebounding purposes."

Despite Westwood's early 4-0 lead, the Golden Hawks showed resilience, finally getting on the scoreboard with less than five minutes remaining. They tied the game at 10-10 by the end of the quarter, demonstrating their determination.

"It took us awhile to get comfortable in the game but they play good defense and I think we keep trying to come out as strong as possible but other teams are doing the same against us," Head Coach Lindsay Steffner described. "It was going to be a dog fight right from the opening tip and our shots weren't falling easily."

The scoring output stopped in the second quarter as both teams combined for 15 points, as the Cardinals led 19-16 at halftime. Morgan Sconza is burying a pair of trifectas for River Dell in the quarter.

"We didn't play a great and smooth half and the things that were falling for us against Ramsey weren't falling as easily," Head Coach Lindsay Steffner noted. "I said to the team you just got to stay with it and keep grinding and playing good defense." "I told them we were going to shift up our defense a little bit to get the rhythm back in our favor because we weren't able to run on them and normally get out on the fast-break lane and that slowed us down in that aspect."

Once the third quarter commenced, lightning in a bottle hit as both teams' offenses converted on the offensive end with layups and jump shots. The Golden Hawks jumped in front 27-24 behind the spectacular play of Kasey Ziegler, who netted five points by attacking the rim and rebounding.

Westwood answered back with a 7-2 run to reclaim the advantage at 31-29. River Dell sparked off the bench by Hope Arturi draining a triple that put the Golden Hawks back in the lead 36-34. The Cardinals sank a pair of free throws with less than thirty seconds to tie the game up at 36-36 at the end of the period.

"Whatever we did they did and it was back-and-forth," Head Coach Lindsay Steffner stated. "We just kept saying if we get a four-point lead then we can feel a little bit more comfortable but never did and they responded."

The fourth quarter mirrored the third, as both teams traded haymakers. However, once again, Kasey Ziegler's phenomenal play carried over from the third quarter. Ziegler demonstrated her offensive prowess in the low post with a few buckets and rebounding. Ziegler hit a pair of free throws at the free throw line to put River Dell up 48-45 with less than two minutes left.

"Kasey embodies every possession, and the players feed off that, love it and gets them going and she leaves it on the court," Head Coach Lindsay Steffner cited. "She's going to put her body out there and there's no other player I've coached that where I can count on to make a hustle play and never know what's going to happen on the court with Kasey." "She's always in a position to make a play and really frazzle the other team on the court with her size and athletic ability."

With the Golden Hawks clinging onto a 48-47 lead with a minute and a half left on the clock, Dalia Interiano quickly dribbled the ball, accelerated to the basket, and unleashed a magnificent off-balanced one-handed layup off the glass.

"Dalia is coming alive right now and definitely feels comfortable in the offense and making the right passes," Head Coach Lindsay Steffner mentioned. "She's seeing the game at the right pace now and handling the ball well and playing great defense." "She's the cherry on the top when she's making those shots and getting to the rim."

Westwood refused to go away quietly as Leah Olives canned a trey to narrow the gap to 51-50, but the River Dell had ice water in their veins at the free-throw line as Morgan Sconza and Dalia Interiano each sank a pair of free throws to seal the victory.

"At that point confidence took over and there's no doubt in my mind they're making those foul shots," Head Coach Lindsay Steffner remarked.

"Our team is a fun team to root for and they're excitable and good kids." "They're high fiving each other and you see the hustle plays and diving for balls and you can tell means something to them and an easy group to cheer for when you see that."

The Golden Hawks now focus on a Bergen County Tournament Quarterfinal game against the Teaneck Highwaymen(13-5, 5-1 Big North National) on Saturday, February 8th. Tip-off is set for 1:30 p.m. at Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest.

"Our girls are excited about the matchup and being able to play against Teaneck last year gave us a good confidence booster," Head Coach Lindsay Steffner said. "We were in that game up to the fourth quarter and it's just a matter of us shooting and handling the ball well and got to handle the ball well and if we do that anything's possible and I think it's a really good test."

"We have watched a lot of film and they've got a ton of athletes and experience and arguably the best guard in the county in (Lexi) Carnegie and we're going to have Alexa on her and she's super athletic and strong but I think Alexa is up to the challenge."

"We got to have our seniors step up and do the right thing and going to play big inside and everyone has their own roles right now." "We're excited and humbled to be a part of this great group of teams in Bergen County and among really good coaches but the girls have also put in the work and it's a matter of now we get to showcase what we can do in front of people which is fun."