After Pascack Valley’s boys basketball loss in their contest against Pascack Hills last season, the boys basketball programs of Pascack Valley and Pascack Hills, will face off tonight at 6 p.m. This time, Valley hopes they can end up on top. 

Valley’s freshman coach, and former member of the Valley boys basketball team Ron Villone, says that this year’s basketball team is different from the past years and are ready for the matchup. 

“The entire program is great and fun to be around. They are all hard workers, take criticism well, and when things aren’t going well, they go to work everyday, trying to improve,” Villone said.

Last year, Hills ran away with the match, with a 71-46 victory. Valley, though, will be returning with almost the same team as last year, only losing Senior Point Guard, Ethan Silcher. Hills on the other hand, lost five seniors that contributed to the win last season, meaning there will be a very different group for Hills’ this time.

With Valley losing Silcher, Devin Merker has stepped up into the starting lineup. Michael Criscuolo and Shane Buoye have all seen increased minutes as well. With everyone always being ready, Villone continues to have the next-man-up mentality.

“Whenever your number is called, you just have to make the most of your opportunity, which they have all done,” Coach Villone said.

Christian Vargas also talks about how Michael Criscuolo increased minutes have had a positive impact on the team.

“Mike has been a great player, who does his job and knows his role,” Vargas said. “[Mike] Is every team’s dream player to have, who does all the little things right.” 

Jimmy Shea hopes to build off of last year’s loss as a lesson and what they need to do differently this time around. 

“Last season, it seemed like every shot they put up, found the bottom of the net. We just have to play better than last time and not allow them to get open looks,” Shea said. 

As last year’s result did not sit well with the team so they are hoping to have a different result tonight.