Girls capture sectional title, avenge loss to Old Tappan

Brianna Wong was going to dominate against Old Tappan, it was just a matter of how and when.

“It was really important because in the first quarter I already had two fouls and they had sort of shut me down,” she said. “I didn’t really get to shoot as much as I wanted too, so I had to score another way, and I went driving [to the basket].”

Wong scored a game high 25 points for top-seeded Pascack Valley (28-1), including 18 points in the second half, en route to a 70-42 victory over No. 11 Old Tappan (16-14) in the title game for section North 1 Group 3. The sectional title is PV’s 13th under 43rd year head coach Jeff Jasper and their first since 2010. It now means that PV will being to vie for its sixth group title in the Group 3 semifinals against North 2 sectionial champ Somerville (19-6) on Thursday at 7 p.m. at Ramapo High School.

The sectional final was the first matchup between the two schools since Jan. 28 when OT pulled off a 43-41 upset in the first round of the Bergen County Tournament.

But Wong wanted to assure the Golden Knights that the Pascack Valley that they saw Tuesday would not be the same Pascack Valley that was upset.

“To the whole team, it was important to show them that that game was in the past and that wasn’t us,” she said. “It was meant to show that one loss doesn’t define who we are.”

While that loss may not define the Indians, Jasper does feel it helped shape them on their recent 13-game winning streak.

“(Old Tappan coach) Brian [Dunn] is a great coach and a great teacher of the game,” Jasper said. “That last game where we lost, he taught us a good lesson, and a number of really important things. Yes, it was painful for the days that followed, but we didn’t forget what we learned then. Each of the games we’ve played since then has taken us to a different level.”

That increased level of play was on display early and often.

PV ended the first quarter with a 15-8 lead. OT then scored a quick basket to open the second quarter, which made it 15-10. That’s the closest the game would ever be.

Much of the Indians offense was generated from forced turnovers and in transition, helped by eight steals and 12 defensive rebounds.

Leading the charge defensively were senior Shannon Culloo and junior Kelly Smith.

Culloo totaled six points, three rebounds, and three steals, but was in foul trouble early and was replaced by junior Nicole Arden, while Smith totaled seven points, five rebounds, one assist and one steal.

“I thought Arden gave us some of the most key minutes,” Jasper said. “Arden did amazing and knocked down a couple of quick shots while picking up a few rebounds and busted her butt.”

Kelly Petro also contributed for the Indians, scoring seven points while dishing out seven assists and collecting three rebounds.

PV’s depth is nothing new, nor is its propensity to spread the wealth, both of which were key in the victory.

But just as important as the physical toughness was the mental toughness, which Culloo said was brought to a whole new level.

“We came out more mentally prepared than we’ve ever been,” she said. “Knowing that we had a chance to avenge the loss from earlier in the season, it just motivated us to bring more than we have all season.”