River Dell Varsity Girls Basketball Team celebrates Senior Night with a convincing victory over Pascack Hills

The River Dell Golden Hawks Varsity Girls Basketball Team(15-7, 9-1 Big North Patriot) celebrated Senior Night & won their fourth with a dominating 62-25 win over the Pascack Hills Broncos(7-15, 1-9) & fourth league title in the past five years at River Dell High School in Oradell, New Jersey.

Seniors Morgan Sconza and Kaisey Ziegler each tallied 17 points, showcasing their skill and dedication, while Val Visconti supplied 10 points, contributing to the team's victory.

Before tip-off, seniors Morgan Sconza, Kasey Ziegler, and Angela McDonough were honored in a pre-game ceremony along with their families.

"I have three players and manager Aca(Zariczny) and their overall commitment to the program," River Dell Head Coach Lindsay Steffner explained. "Getting Morgan after her freshman season, an all-county player and she completed that class and just instrumental for us." "She's not only a leader but obviously a great kid and having her play back in her hometown is really important to us."

"Kasey a three-sport athlete and what we preach at River Dell and she goes out there and does her best in all three sports and not looking to do anything else." "She's enjoyed her high school career and very good at all three sports."

"Angela a three-sport athlete and does track and volleyball and she never asked for anything more than this experience." "She moved up from her freshman team to JV for two years and a leader for us."

"Three different types of high school experiences as far as their journeys were very different and at the end of the day those three couldn't be any better for what River Dell represents and what we personify."

"Having their families and extend families too is special and having former parents and players there and you see the community that River Dell has built and come back to watch and support the kids as they were freshman potentially when their daughters were playing and now to see them as seniors." "Having those fans back is special and an overall night win or lose and it really shows how much those seniors have meant to the program and community."

The Golden Hawks had dropped three of four games, including a 67-54 loss to Glen Rock on Saturday, February 15th, leading up to Senior Night, but came out with determination in the first quarter, with all three seniors getting the starting nod and racing out to a 7-0 lead in the first quarter. Kasey Ziegler led the charge, notching seven points, while Morgan Sconza chipped in five.

River Dell's tenacious defense led to steals and transition points. Kasey Ziegler blocked a pair of shots. By the time the period ended, the Golden Hawks were up by double digits, 20-8.

"I told them this probably our hardest schedule that we've ever had in my 10 years here as far as the road games being challenging and the timing of certain games as we picked up Glen Rock, Sparta and in the counties Pascack Valley and Teaneck," Head Coach Lindsay Steffner noted. "Our schedule has been jam packed and really talented teams that were all very different and there's a lot of preparation that goes into each game and going to have your ebbs and flows."

"We talked about getting back to the way we play and go out and be the authoritative type of team we are and run our stuff." "Be gutsy and go get those loose balls, offensive rebounds, take outside shots when we have the, and play solid defense and do the things that we do well and very evident in the first quarter."

"It was perfect to have the ability to start three seniors and a big moment." "We talked about it in the locker room after the Glen Rock game and put it out there who wants to volunteer to give the spot up to Angela and deserves it as a captain and I wanted her to start." "Dalia(Interiano) twice said take my spot which is a big moment for an underclassman to recognize that moment to give to her and shows the teammates are there for each other."

River Dell flourished on the offensive end in the second quarter, with Val Visconti and Morgan Sconza dropping six points. Visconti was dominating in the paint and low post, pulling down rebounds and converting putback shots. Once halftime rolled around, the Golden Hawks held a commanding 38-16 advantage.

When the third quarter commenced, River Dell exploded for a 20-0 blitz that put the game away for good. Morgan Sconza lit up from downtown, hitting a pair of trifectas, while Kasey Ziegler and Dalia Interiano also totaled six points apiece.

The highlight moment occurred in the waning seconds of the fourth quarter. Angela McDonough knocked down a short jumper in the paint, and the players on the bench erupted in pandemonium, accompanied by thunderous applause from the home crowd.

"You could see at the end of the game when Angela scored and how everyone celebrated as though they won the national championship," Head Coach Lindsay Steffner described. "They're a fun group and even when we lose they take ownership and accountability for what they need to do and want to win for each other and they want to win for the program."

"I'm hoping Angela knows the impact and part of this is very powerful for us and the team." "There are different types of leadership and she's definitely going to be a phenomenal leader and whatever she wants to do in rest of her life, academics and going to be successful at that."

The Golden Hawks wrap up the 2024-25 regular season by hosting the Old Tappan Golden Knights(14-8, 5-4 Big North National). Old Tappan won the first meeting between the teams on December 28th, 2024, in the Joe Poli Tournament 51-42.

"It's a tune-up gamer and it's better than practice at this time of year and the game doesn't matter for anything and standings but there's a lot of pride between the two schools," Head Coach Lindsay Steffner cited. "Obviously we know each other well and I'm a teacher at the school(Old Tappan)." "You can't ask for a better opponent as far as defensive pressure and we need to work on the man-to-man stuff and really execute."

"Old Tappan has been playing at a higher level as the season has gone on and this game is very different than when we played in the Joe Poli Tournament." "It's a chance for us to strategize a little bit and mix in some different defenses and offenses and we've been working on." "I just want the girls to go out and play loose and play basketball." "Once the state tournament happens there are some nerves and tightness, and no one wants the season to end. " "Whereas this game they can play loose and whether win, lose or draw there's no penalty and a really good game."