Feb 09, 2024
The Bergen County Tournament was turned on its head when 18th-seeded Cresskill upset second-seeded Immaculate Heart, last year’s runner-up, in the Round of 16, opening the door for another team to make a deep run as one of the favorites was eliminated early.The top seed is still alive in Saddle River Day, which has won seven consecutive Bergen County Tournament titles, and is the favorite to win its eighth in a row. However, three other teams are vying to end Saddle River Day’s unprecedented streak.Here is a look at Bergen County Tournament semifinal matchups happening at Fair Lawn on Saturday.FULL BRACKET7-Old Tappan (17-5) vs. 3-Teaneck (17-6), 2pmOld Tappan and Teaneck know each other very well, a product of being in the National Division of the Big North Conference. Saturday’s semifinal meeting will be the third time this season the two teams have played each other and the second time this week.Teaneck won the first meeting on Jan. 11, 48-40, before Old Tappan won the second meeting on Tuesday, 65-59, to even up the season series.Old Tappan, the No. 19 team in the NJ.com Top 20, advanced to the semifinals by picking up wins over Glen Rock and Cresskill, while Teaneck advanced to the semifinals by defeating Ridgewood and River Dell.Old Tappan coach Brian Dunn leans on senior twins Layla and Maya Giordano. Layla Giordano is averaging a team-leading 15.1 points per game, while Maya Giordano is averaging 9.9 points per game.Teaneck has battled through injuries this season as coach Brad Allen has had to adjust his lineups to compensate for the injuries. Seniors Demi Simpson and Erin Frazier have been two cogs in the lineup and so has freshman Leayana Dorville. Simpson hasn’t played in Teaneck’s last three games. Dorville is averaging 11.8 points per game. 5-Holy Angels (13-5) vs. 1-Saddle River Day (15-3), 5:30Veteran coach Sue Liddy has guided Holy Angels to the semifinals on the heels of wins over Pascack Valley and Ramapo, while Saddle River Day defeated Park Ridge and Demarest to book its spot in the Final Four.Holy Angels arguably has the top player in the Big North Conference and one of the best in the county in senior Samantha Serrano. Serrano has been brilliant this season, averaging 26.1 points per game, among the highest in the state. She is also grabbing 6.6 rebounds per game.Serrano will have to play extremely well against Saddle River Day, the No. 10 team in the NJ.com Top 20, as first-year coach Joseph Pedone will come up with a game plan to slow down Serrano. Seniors Cristina Parrella and Julianna Almedia have been Saddle River Day’s two most productive players this season. Parrella is averaging a team-leading 17.1 points per game and making 48 3-pointers, while Almedia is averaging 15.8 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. Junior Faith Williamson has knocked down 42 3-pointers and can’t be left open along the perimeter.
