A season ending is always a bittersweet moment.

Pascack Valley girls basketball coach Jeff Jasper has done it over forty times and says it still doesn’t get any easier.

“When I walk into the locker room at the end there is always a sadness, “ said Jasper. “I hate to let go of a team; I don’t like to have it end. I love to have another practice the next day and get prepared.”

This was the year that put the Indians back on the map, with a mixture of young talent and senior leadership from Gina Criscuolo, Ashley Lagrosa and Jenn Tran, the team proved itself; finishing 22-7, playing a very demanding schedule.

Jasper says that this year made the team “relevant” again, playing competitively against teams such as Old Tappan, Teaneck and Ramapo, who are hailed for great talent and poise. He added that without the senior leadership, the team would not have made the improvements it did.

“They did a remarkable job with a young group that at times was both talented and immature. If their leadership skills weren’t as good, this team would have never achieved what it did. It would have been a year or two away from being relevant.”

With a team often comprised of a starting lineup featuring four sophomores, Kelly Smith, Kelly Petro, Torianna Tabasco, Brianna Wong and Criscuolo, it could have been easy for the young Indians to get lost in the mix, but the team established its legitimacy early in a nail-biter against Old Tappan in the Joe Poli Tournament where the Indians fell 37-36. The second turning point came when the Indians also took down county-power Teaneck in an exciting 60-40 win.

Jasper also shared that the team shares a great chemistry off the court as well. Lagrosa echoed that sentiment, “every year we are all extremely close, but this is the closest that we have ever been.”

And with that diverse lineup, chemistry is important, but so is energy. The team played with a great hustle, or “heart” as Jasper called it.

“We push each other past our limits every time we step on the court,” said Tran.

For the players, the cohesive nature of the team was a thriving aspect. The privilege to suit up in the gold uniform and be a member of the “long gold line” is all a part of the experience. Criscuolo explained that Jasper emphasizes that it isn’t all about being good basketball players; it’s about being good people too.

“This program has made me more independent and self-disciplined. I’ve learned how to sacrifice personal success for the greater goal.”

Notes: Sophomore Kelly Petro was selected First Team All Bergen County. Sophomore Kelly Smith was selected Third Team All Bergen County.