Teaneck girls basketball pulls away from Old Tappan to win second straight sectional title
TEANECK — With a second straight North 1, Group 3 girls basketball title on the line, Teaneck was nearly flawless at the line.
The No. 1 seed Highwaywomen made 14-of-16 free throws in the fourth quarter to close out a 59-46 victory over No. 2 Old Tappan in Saturday’s sectional final at Curtis March Court.
Senior Erin Frazier made all 12 of her foul shots, including six in the final period. She and classmate Demi Simpson capped their careers by leading Teaneck (23-7) to its third sectional repeat all-time.
The four-year letter-winners also helped their team finish 3-1 against their Big North National rival, including a Bergen County Tournament semifinal win.
“We were here last year – we knew what the sectional environment was going to be like,” Frazier said. “We’ve seen [Old Tappan], this was the fourth time, and we know how they are. So that’s why we kept we kept our composure.
“We’re not new to this.”
What it means
Teaneck advanced to Wednesday’s 7 p.m. NJSIAA Group 3 semifinal at Ramapo High School. Its opponent will be the winner of North 2, determined Saturday evening between Chatham and Colonia.
Old Tappan (22-7) played in its first sectional final since 2018, when it went on to win Group 3.
“Whenever you play a team four times, the last time is always the hardest, right?” Highwaywomen coach Brad Allen said.
Key sequence
In a 25-all game midway through the third quarter, Teaneck went on a 9-0 run. After Simpson made 1-of-2 at the line, the home team forced a turnover, and Frazier sank a pair of free throws after being fouled.
Less than a minute later, Imani McKenzie set up Simpson for a jumper, and freshman Leayana Dorville stole the ensuing inbounds pass and scored to prompt an Old Tappan time out. The Golden Knights got no closer than 5 the rest of the way.
“In the third quarter, we didn’t allow them across half court until three minutes to go,” Allen said. “Everybody did exactly what we told them to do at halftime, and it worked out really well.”
A lot on the line
In last month’s Bergen County championship final against Saddle River Day, Teaneck made less than 50 percent of its foul shots (10-for-21) in a three-point loss.
“We really beat ourselves that game,” Simpson admitted. “Free throws meant everything.”
Allen responded by having the team shoot “literally 200 a day, every day” at the free-throw line. There, the Highwaywomen finished 30-for-38 (79 percent) in the North 1, Group 3 final.
Game balls
► Frazier and Simpson combined for 29 points and 19 rebounds and made 8 of their team’s 15 steals.
► Teaneck sophomore Jill Carter contributed 14 points and made all four of her foul shots.
► Old Tappan senior Layla Giordano collected 18 points, 9 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 assists.
They said it
“She’s amazing to play with. This is what I’m going to cherish.” —Simpson on winning back-to-back sectional titles with her four-year teammate, Frazier
“Amazing. This is my favorite person ever.” —Frazier, on Simpson
“Last year, we were so happy to win the sectional, and we went to overtime [against Sparta]. Then we had a 24-hour turnaround. This time, we have a 72-hour turnaround, so we can get ready a little bit better.” —Allen
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Teaneck NJ girls basketball wins second straight sectional title
