Entering the 2021 season, the PV boys basketball team will look to build off of its hot performance in 2020 in which it reached the North 1, Group 3 state sectional semifinal before falling to Ramapo 62-42.

Despite the minimal practice time due to COVID-19 and the boys basketball team being forced to quarantine, Valley hopes to start the season off strong with several key returning players from last year.

“[Some returners are] Jake Wolf (All-League second team), Austin Koolery (3rd Team All-County), Thomas Dean, Jared Shiffman, Owen Eberson, Anthony Rossomando, Thomas Brophy, and John Hachadourian,” Head Coach Al Coleman said.

The road hasn’t gotten any easier as Valley’s first game of the season was cancelled shortly before gametime after two individuals at Pascack Valley tested positive for COVID-19. PV was scheduled to face Bergenfield on the road at 7 p.m. on Thursday night.

Coleman and his players aren’t just looking forward to having a great season record wise, but are looking forward to seeing how the team improves and plays with one another.

“Success for me is getting better everyday in the gym and playing for the name on the front of the jersey,” Coleman said. “I just want them to value each moment that they get in the gym and better themselves both on and off the court through basketball.”

With the pandemic still being a factor as the season approaches, Coleman believes the players – specifically the seniors – need to come together and realize that everytime they play, it could be their last game.

“The most important thing is for [the team] to value each moment together, and as corny as that may sound, with everything that’s going around us right now, you can see the uncertainty where everything can be taken from you in an instant,” Coleman said.