Giada Celetti scored 7 early points as Saddle River Day took control in a 59-47 win over Demarest in the Bergen County final. The Rebels won their ninth straight county championship.

FAIR LAWN – Saddle River Day has ruled the roost in Bergen County over the past decade and has done so with great guard play. This year has been no different with a trio of senior leaders at the guard slots. But after rallying from a nine-point deficit in a one-point win over Northern Valley/Old Tappan, it was evident that the Rebels needed another dimension in the paint if their record streak of Bergen County Tournament titles were to continue.

That burden fell squarely on the shoulders of center Giada Celetti. It was a challenge the 6-foot junior had been waiting for from the time she first put on a Rebels’ uniform. Facing upset-minded Northern Valley/Demarest, Saddle River Day head coach Joe Pedone been inserted Celetti back in the starting lineup and that move paid immediate dividends.

Celetti scored seven points during a game-opening 13-3 run as top-seeded Saddle River Day led by double-digits from the midway point of the first quarter on to win its ninth straight Bergen County Tournament title with a 59-47 triumph over No. 6 seed Northern Valley/Demarest on Wednesday night at Fair Lawn High School.

“We attacked the basket in different ways and also try to let our defense create our offense,” said Pedone. “Northern Valley/Demarest is a great team. We had to come out and set the tone. We showed composure and had a lot of balance tonight on both ends. We’ve had some game experience of playing in county finals before and that helps to ease any nerves we might have had.”

Fresh off upsets over the No. 3 and 2 seeds (Immaculate Heart Academy and Teaneck) Northern Valley/Demarest came into the BCT championship game with plenty of momentum and a nothing-to-lose attitude. Unfortunately for the Norsewomen, they were up against a team that was determined to control the tempo.

Deana Finkelstein scored a game-high 16 points for Demarest, which is now 20-3 heading into the state playoffs as the No. 1 seed in North 1, Group 3..

Seniors Brooke Braen and Bella Pedone set the tone at the top of the press and were able to speed up the Norsewomen into early turnovers. That led to extra possessions for the Rebels and more chances for Celetti. Whether it was rolling to the basket or crashing the offensive glass, Demarest had no answers for her early on. A putback of her own miss made it 13-3 with seven of those points coming from Celetti.

“It was my first time really being on the court and playing meaningful minutes in a county final, I had to come out and play with a purpose,” said Celetti. “Last year, I played five seconds in the county final, but I was still so happy to be a part of that team and that experience. It’s surreal to get an opportunity. Our coaches put their trust in me and I’m happy I was able to step up for them and for my teammates on a big stage like this.”

The Norsewomen were caught in a catch-22 situation the entire game. Although they defended the three-point line as well as any opponent the Rebels faced this season, it left pathways for SRD’s explosive backcourt to get to the basket. Bella Pedone hit a floater just inside the elbow. Faith Williamson and Brooke Braen followed with tough drives to the basket as Saddle River Day took its largest lead of the first half, 22-5, late in the first quarter.

After some jitters, Demarest settled in and started to find success in both breaking the press and moving the ball within their offense to get quality looks at the basket.

They trimmed the Rebels’ lead to 14 by halftime and the two teams traded runs during the third quarter. After a 9-0 run gave Saddle River Day a 20-point lead, the Norsewomen showed their grit and clawed their way back. A turnaround jumper in the post by Angie Tirado and then a conventional three-point play from Deana Finkelstein cut it to 12, 46-34.

Brooke Braen finished with 11 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists for Saddle River Day.

However, that was close as the Norsewomen would get. Williamson was able to get to the basket and finished a tough reverse layup to kickstart an 11-2 run, capped by a Pedone 3 from the corner as the Rebels cruised from there to another celebration as the nine-time Bergen County Tournament champion.

A big reason Saddle River Day (15-8) was able to keep the Norsewomen at bay was a season-best game at the foul line. They shot 16-19 (84.2%). That includes a perfect 8-8 from Williamson, who led all players with 20 points. Celetti notched a double-double with 11 points and a career-best 13 rebounds. Braen and Pedone added 11 and 10 points, respectively. Freshman Grace Darling was tough defensively all game and chipped in with six points and 10 rebounds.

Finkelstein led the way for Northern Valley/Demarest (20-3) with 16 points and five rebounds. Tirado and Gabriella Mittelman finished with 10 and 9 points, respectively.

While the Rebels will turn the page and look towards a run at a state sectional title, this night was about relishing their part in the most historic run in the 50-year history of the Bergen County Girls’ Basketball Tournament.

“Everyone worked so well together, and we knew we had to win this game,” added Celetti. “This win was not just for us who are here now. It’s also for the players and coaches here who came before us. This trophy does not just represent us, it represents our program as a whole. It’s a great feeling to get the job done and keep our streak going.”

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