River Dell Varsity Girls Basketball Team ends 2025 on a high note with a hard-fought win over Secaucus in the Joe Poli Tournament

The River Dell Golden Hawks Varsity Girls Basketball Team(4-1) wrapped up 2025 in successful fashion by grinding out a 50-44 victory over the Secaucus Patriots(4-3) in the Joe Poli Holiday Tournament at Pascack Valley High School in Hillsdale, New Jersey.

Val Visconti poured in a game-high 15 points while Maddie Roth tallied 12 points and Dalia Interiano supplied 11 points.

The game tipped off late due to the earlier contest between Cresskill and Hasbrouck Heights going longer than anticipated, but River Dell managed to take a 12-10 lead at the end of the first quarter behind the stellar play of Maddie Roth, who totaled eight points. Secaucus is managing to shoot the ball effectively behind the arc, knocking down three trifectas.

“She’s creating a lot of havoc out and complete chaos which is exactly what I want her to do and rebound, make the extra pass and getting to the rim,” River Dell Head Coach Lindsay Steffner explained. “She’s a workhorse and doing a lot of positive things for us when things don’t seem to go our way offensively and getting her hands on the ball.”

In the second quarter, the Golden Hawks extended their advantage to 19-12 on back-to-back baskets inside the paint and down in the low post by Val Visconti.

River Dell was aggressive on defense, knocking away passes, contesting jump shots and layups, and grabbing defensive rebounds, which led to a 21-14 halftime lead.

“Secaucus is scrappy and relentless, and they definitely got the green light from behind the arc and if they’re having a good or bad shooting night they live and die by the that three sometimes,” Head Coach Lindsay Steffner described. “They got a few on us here and there but luckily not consistent enough.”

“We had a nice lead at halftime, but I reminded them anyone that can shoot threes that well can hang in the games and Secaucus showed that today.”

In the third quarter, the Golden Hawks boosted the margin up to 27-18 with five and a half minutes remaining. Five different players are supplying points. River Dell is also able to get to the free-throw line and knock down shots. By the time the period ended, the Golden Hawks were in front 33-28.

Once the fourth quarter got underway, Secaucus narrowed the gap down to 35-32 with less than seven minutes left. The Patriots continued to be in the zone from long distance with Gianna Torrillo burying two additional triples that upped her total to four and Ava Illuzzi draining her second trey.

I don’t think our energy was that great, and we looked sluggish and tired, and that Old Tappan game took a lot out of us, and playing three games in five days is a lot,” River Dell Head Coach Lindsay Steffner noted. “We’re not playing a lot of kids right now as far as minutes, and some of them are just sore and tired and sick and weren’t feeling 100 percent even at halftime and not ready to go.”

“I give credit to the players because they’re gamers and got it together.” “I got on them at halftime more than I usually do and they responded which is mentally exhausting timeframe and with the holiday break and practicing every single day.”

River Dell was able to counter that surge behind the tenacity of Val Visconti, dropping eight points, and Visconti did her damage in the paint and low block, converting short jump shots and putbacks.

“Those are the kind of plays that I keep telling the girls that are the ones are the nail in the coffin and puts the other team in a tough situation and if they can’t stop us offensively,” River Dell Head Coach Lindsay Steffner mentioned. “Those putbacks are daggers and we could have been better offensively at times and don’t think we played sharp, but we made the hustle plays when it mattered and Maddie and Val seeing and playing with each other well down low today.”

Hope Arturni splashed a clutch pearl that increased the Golden Hawks' lead to 42-34 at the four-minute mark. Secaucus refused to throw in the towel, answering back with a 5-0 spurt.

“I’m really proud of her to have that confidence and rhythm,” Head Coach Lindsay Steffner remarked. “Unfortunately, against Old Tappan she makes that same shot we win the game.” “We weren’t really shooting well today compared to what we normally shoot and so for her to knock down that shot was huge.”

Down the stretch, River Dell hit key throws, combined with a crucial layup by Val Visconti, propelled the Golden Hawks to the victory.

“It wasn’t pretty, but we got it done,” Head Coach Lindsay Steffner expressed. “We’re going to have that memory this type of game is Secaucus is similar to a Ramsey and Westwood and they’re coming after us and they want to beat us and no different and don’t care who River Dell is and whoever else and they’re getting ready for their Group 1 battles.” “There are a lot of familiar coaches that are well respected and know each other and a fun tournament and know how to battle.”

River Dell returns to action on Tuesday, January 6th, facing Ramsey(5-0) at Ramsey High School with tip-off set for 4:15 p.m.

“Having to go up there at four o’clock isn’t the easy thing for high school kids and to refocus after school and asked to put that behind them,” Head Coach Lindsay Steffner replied. “We’re open to the challenge and Ramsey’s going to be a good first test for us and I’m excited about getting into league play with these girls.”

Concluding 2025, Head Coach Lindsay Steffner had these observations on the state of the River Dell Girls Basketball Program, “Every year I think back where these kids were as freshmen and sophomores in my program and as far as growth and development and are we doing the right things for them and having a great experience.” “It’s evident when the alumni come back and are sitting in the stands and cheering for us.”

“I think it’s evident the kids are getting better and Hope(Arturi) came off the bench last year and is a starter this year and playing superb for us right now.” “Dalia(Interiano) has been a three-year varsity starter for me and playing very steady and mature.” “Lex(Alexa De Pol) and Val playing JV as sophomores and where they’re now and it’s always remarkable watching them now grow, develop, understand the game differently and lead better and start trusting the process.”

“I try telling them about the growth and development of this program and you’re not always going to get it right away and but for the people on the bench that are getting minutes here and there and hopefully within a year or two they understand why they were with me and why they’re in practice situations and being asked to play certain ways of defense even if it’s a scout team situation and gaining so much valuable experience and taking some minutes on varsity.”