January 11th
Going into the game River Dell was prepared to fight. As one of their most important games of the year so far, they knew they needed to come out hot.
When asked about how he felt going into the game starting guard Liam Hickey said, “I think it will be close, but I’m confident we can pull away with it.” Liam is one of five seniors on the roster and despite a rough three and five start to the season he believes, “we can make a run, and it starts tonight.”
Pascack Hills also posting a three and five record, but second in the league was the favorite going into the game. The game was crucial for the Hawks. If they could win it, they would jump to second in the league behind division rivals Ramsey.
River Dell was led by star big man Sean Golden out of the gate. Golden scored the team’s first nine points, but Pascack Hills answered with a couple of midrange jump shots tying the game at nine with little time left in the first quarter.
Point guard David Nunez would add two more threes in the last minute of period giving the Hawks a small lead going into the second quarter.
The next eight minutes was back and forth throughout, Hickey, Nunez, and Golden remained the only scorers for River Dell contributing on the offensive end, but offensive consistency from Pascack Hills kept them in the game.
During the Hawk’s last possession of the half a key offensive rebound by Phil Doornheim and a kick out to Hickey for a three would have River Dell up 29-19 at the half.
The second half started well for the Hawks with a clean bank jump shot from Hickey. Hills wouldn’t go away though as they continued to hit the midranges and stay in the game. River Dell kept the ball inside, and Golden made a key and one with just under two minutes left in the third quarter.
This was important in multiple ways as it also put Pascack Hill’s big man in foul trouble. The third quarter ended with the Hawks clinging on to a 38-34 lead.
Hills started the fourth with a quick and one closing the lead to a single point. They added another three, taking the lead by two points. Every time River Dell came back Hills had an answer as they retained a two-point lead with just over a minute to go. Another free throw brought the game to within three points as River Dell had the ball with 45 seconds to go.
A wasted possession ticked the clock down to thirty seconds. With just under 20 seconds remaining Hickey pulled up from deep for a game tying three and hit it.
All the Hawks had to do was stop them here and they’d be going to overtime, but Pascack Hill’s Nick Lukmann pulled up for the win at the buzzer and snatched the win out of River Dell’s hands.
With a heartbreaking 45-48 loss, the Hawks look to bounce back Saturday against league rival Indian Hills.
