The Verona boys basketball team pulled out an exciting 52-48 overtime win against the Ridgers of Glen Ridge High School on Tuesday. Down 16-8 after the first quarter, the teams traded points in the second and the Hillbillies went into the half trailing 31-24.
Things turned around for the Maroon and White in the second half, led by sophomores Max Vasile, who nailed four three-pointers and Alex Kaslander, who had 13 points on the day. Verona was able to outscore the Ridgers 12-6 in the third and tie it up in the fourth quarter, outscoring their rivals 4-3. The boys came out firing in overtime, outscoring Glen Ridge 12-8 and taking home their first overtime win of the season.
Coach McElroy went deep into his bench in the effort. Sophomores led the way for the Hillbillies: Matt Braschi, Luke Weiss, Vasile and Kaslander combined for 36 points, 12 rebounds and nine steals. The Hillbillies (6-3) travel to Belleville on Thursday for a 4 p.m. contest.
In girls basketball, Julieanne Mascera scored 20 out of the Hillbillies’ 36 points as Verona went on to beat Montclair Kimberly Academy 36-34 in an away-game nail biter. MKA jumped out to 14-9 lead in the first quarter behind the strong rebounding and scoring performances of Gina Guccione and Taylor Webster. Verona battled back to pull within two points 18-16 at half time. A strong third quarter saw the Hillbillies take the lead 28-25 before pulling out a close 36-34 victory for their second win of the season. Mascera, a past VHS Boosters Senior Athlete of the Week, hit four three-pointers from long range. Seniors Caroline Mols and Amanda Cummings combined for eight points, and sophomore Julie Rosenberg hit a three-pointer in the effort. Next up for the 2-6 Hillbillies is a Friday home game against the Caldwell Chiefs.
