The Sweet 16 has come and past with 8 of the top 9 seeds, including seeds 1 thru 7, are still around.

Old Tappan behind  veterans Alex Radetsky (20), Shannon Funsch(16) and Karli McMennamin(13) paced the #4 Golden Knights to a 62-47 win over  # 13 Pascack Hills.   Old Tappan jumped out to a 20-11 first quarter lead and never looked back.  They held 3-point sensation Jordan Friedman, who was 6-8 against Paramus Catholic on Thursday to 3 points.  Hills was led by Krista LaRezza’s 18 points in the opener at River Dell.  The battle Holy Angels on Sunday.

In game 2, #5 Holy Angels struggled against #21 Mahwah who was bidding to be this years Cinderella team.  After knocking off Immaculate Conception last week, the Thunderbirds took a 1-point first quarter lead and then trailed by one at the half.   However an 18-8 third period put the game out of reach for Angels who was paced by Melanie Lockett(18) and Jackie Jerkovich(17), in their 66-46 victory.  Alexa Freguletti netted 20 points for Mahwah.

Game three proved to be no different.  Tenth seeded Glen Rock used a tenacious defense to hold Rae Corbo and #7 Paramus Catholic in check in the first half and felt good, taking a tie game into the locker-room at halftime 32-32.   Paramus Catholic (16-3) behind, Corbo(19), Lauren Milligan(15) and Jamie Klein(11) got some breathing room, taking a 7 point lead into the fourth quarter on route to a hard fought 59-47 win.  Glen Rock(16-3) was paced by Jennifer Berland who netted 13.  Next up for Paramus Catholic, Ramapo.

In the finale of the day between #5 River Dell and #22 New Milford both teams struggled early on.  The score was 9-2 at the end of the first quarter and it looked as if this might be one of those ‘whoever gets to 15 first wins’  games.    The 15-2 Knights only managed 3 first half points putting themselves in a huge hole trailing the Lady Hawks 17-3 at the break.  They bounced back in the 3rd period matching River Dell’s 12 points, led by Samantha DeFreese (10) but still trailed by 14.   River Dell outscored New Milford 11-8 in the 4th to advance to next weeks games at Becton.  The Lady Hawks were led by Meghan Cotter(12), Kate Brock (10) and Jordan Bastable (8).

For River Dell their magic numbers appear to be 40 and 23.   They have won both games in the tournament by the same score 40-23.

Over at Pascack Valley, the Indians cooled off a hot Jackie Marshall limiting her to 13 points and three 3 pointers.   Valley was led by Terry Ely and Dana Amato who scored 25 and 10 points respectively.  Trailing 17-13 and the end of 1, they outscored the Comets 15-5 in the 2nd period and led 28-22 at the half.   Leading by 6 going into the fourth period the Valley shut the Comets down outscoring them 12-0 to seal the win.  They now face a familiar foe in River Dell on Sunday at Becton, here we go again.

Teaneck raced out to a 19-6 lead at the end of one, but Cresskill returned the favor outscoring them 17-4 to knot the game at 23 at halftime.   The Highwaywomen took a 5-point lead after 3 and despite the 18-point effort from Cresskill’s Carly Cerone, stayed close but  were unable to close the deficit falling short by 10 points 57-47.  Teaneck was led by Sydni Lester who netted 18.    They will face St. Mary at Becton on Sunday

Defending Champion Ramapo jumped out to a 16-5 first period lead, increasing it to 26-10 at the break and never looked back.   The Green Raiders were led by Deanna Devonshuk (13 points) and Sarah Halejian (11 Points) en route to a 49-30 win.   Fair Lawn was led by Krystal Polyi  who scored 15 in the loss.  Next on route to the title is a meeting with Paramus Catholic at Becton .

The St. Mary’s Gaels, opened up with a 17-14 first quarter lead and took that same three point lead into the locker-room at halftime.   The game was hard fought and close from beginning to end but IHA but was never able to take the lead.   The Blue Eagles received balanced scoring  with  Maggie LaRiviere (9 points), Ashley Morella (8 points), Colleen O’Connell (8 points), Tara Wilk (8 points), and Alyssa Dawson (6 points) while St. Mary was led by Martina Ellerbee who poured in 18 in the win.   They take on top seeded Teaneck on Sunday.