River Dell Varsity Girls Basketball Team bounces back with emphatic win over Ridgewood

The River Dell Golden Hawks Varsity Girls Basketball Team (10-3, 4-1 Big North Patriot) rebounded from a difficult loss to Ramapo. They secured a convincing 59-41 victory over the Ridgewood Maroons (10-4, 3-1 Big North Freedom) in the Zack Latteri Foundation Benefit Games at Immaculate Heart Academy in the Township of Washington, New Jersey.

Hope Arturi tallied a game-high 15 points while Alexa DePol totaled 14 points, Val Visconti supplied 12 points, and Dalia Interiano chipped in with 10 points.

River Dell Head Coach Lindsay Steffner on the win, “We talked a lot about the Ramapo game the day before and watched film, and we did everything we normally do.” “We talked more about the preparation and what we need to do individually and as a team, and we can’t let our guard down, and we moved on from the Ramapo game, and that was a good lesson.” These girls don’t like to lose, and that’s the competitive nature of this team and an unbelievable feeling when you’re coaching a group that doesn’t want to lose and showed that today.”

Right off the opening tip, the Golden Hawks were locked in and focused, with Maddie Roth grabbing the ball off a deflection and quickly accelerating to the basket for the nifty left-handed layup off glass.

After Ridgewood responded with a trifecta, River Dell erupted for a 15-0 run. Val Visconti led the charge, netting six points, while Alexa DePol added five points and Maddie Roth chalking up four points. The Golden Hawks repeatedly crashed the offensive glass, which led to second-chance opportunities and putback shots, and passed the ball effectively around the perimeter, in the paint, and down low.

“Our plan was to attack them. With their top post player in foul trouble, they brought in some kids off the bench who couldn’t match our size and strength. Maddie and Val played very aggressively,” Head Coach Lindsay Steffner said. “That opened many outside shots. We drove, then kicked out to get Hope and Alexa going.”

Defensively, River Dell did a masterful job in the man-to-man defense, full-court defense, and shutting down the passing lanes, not letting Ridgewood get comfortable in their offensive sets or get clean looks at the basket. The Golden Hawks' stifling defense also led to turnovers that resulted in transition points.

“We put pressure on them and got their best player in foul trouble with two fouls,” Head Coach Lindsay Steffner explained. “We focused on getting into the passing lanes and sealed them up well, so we knew what was happening on the court. By not allowing ball reversal and making a couple of steals at the top of the key, we were able to get out in transition.”

Early in the second quarter, Ridgewood managed to trim the deficit to single digits at 17-10, but the Golden Hawks answered back in thunderous fashion, exploding for a 16-0 spurt. River Dell kept driving to the rim for layups, while Hope Arturi provided a spark, amassing eight points in the quarter.

“It doesn’t get any better than that, and all you can ask for,” Head Coach Lindsay Steffner noted. “When they play hard, I can put them in situations to change defenses and try different options on offense. When they crash the boards, there aren’t many teams that can stay with us. I loved it.”

“We stuck to the game plan very well. It showed in every facet of the game, and I’m very proud of the girls,” Head Coach Lindsay Steffner mentioned. “It’s got to be that effort, and we talked about that the other day. I showed the girls their stats, and this is exactly where we need to be midseason. No one’s shining in a different area, such as scoring, and that’s great. Everyone’s between 8 and 11 points, and that makes us very hard to guard. At any given point, when we move the ball, we can have a mismatch or size advantage. We have something another team really doesn’t have at that point.”

On the flipside, the Golden Hawks exhibited a tenacious defense, resulting in more turnovers and steals, and demonstrated hustle, grit, and determination.

Even with the Maroons scoring four points in the last 20 seconds of the quarter, River Dell held a comfortable 33-16 advantage at halftime.

The Golden Hawks fed off the momentum they built up in the first half that carried over into the third quarter, widening the margin to 41-18 with less than five minutes remaining.

River Dell displayed no fear at all in driving to the hoop for layups while also hitting their jump shots from the perimeter. The game became more physical, with fouls assessed, leading to trips to the foul line.

Dalia Interiano showcased her skills as the point guard, distributing the ball and serving as a facilitator, leading the Golden Hawks to convert shots on the offensive end.

“She put on a show on and did a nice job facilitating our offense,” Head Coach Lindsay Steffner cited. “It doesn’t show up in the box score, but she held a potential first-team all-county player to 11 points (Catie Klemm). Klemm had to really work hard for those points and take tough shots. Dalia did a great job fronting her and switching on screen. She vocalized that and guarded her for most of the game.”

After the third quarter, River Dell led 47-26. In the fourth, the bench saw quality minutes.

Head Coach Lindsay Steffner on the significance of playing in the Zack Latteri Foundation Benefit Games: “It’s a special moment, and I like that they keep asking us every time. The referees donate their money. We donate our funds. It’s a nice chance to remember and help the community, and we really enjoy playing in these games.”

The Golden Hawks return to action Tuesday, January 27, hosting Paramus Catholic (6-8, 1-2 Big North United) at River Dell High School. Tip-off is at 7 p.m.

“We’re going over the game plan and understanding their strengths and weaknesses. We know where we need to attack them,” Head Coach Lindsay Steffner remarked. “I’m happy we get to play them at home. The girls play well there. Paramus Catholic is young, super athletic, and well-coached. It’s going to take a lot of effort from us to put together a nice game.”