On Tuesday March 11, the VHS girls’ basketball team lost at Midland Park in the NJSIAA North Jersey, Section 1 Group 1 championship. Despite Midland Park taking their second straight sectional title, the VHS season was more than memorable.

Coming off a semi-final overtime thriller, the girls were against all odds going into Tuesday’s championship game. Walking into a sold out gym, the Hillbillies would have to upset #1 Midland Park on their own home court.

The game included two high-powered offenses, with VHS led by Senior Captains Julie Rosenberg and Brielle Cummings, and Midland Park led by all-time leading scorer Rebecca Raberio.

Going into the half down by six, Verona needed a spark to light their comeback and regain their early momentum. That spark came in the form of Rosenberg, who hit three straight 3-pointers in the third quarter. Rosenberg finished the game with 16 points, followed by Cummings and Caroline Kirnan each with 9.

Despite their efforts, Midland Park’s experienced offense was just too much for the VHS girls to stop. With two seniors finishing with over 16 points, Midland Park stretched its lead early in the fourth quarter, and would hold onto it until the end.

Finishing with an overall record of 19-8 (the best since 09-10’), the 2013-14 VHS girls’ team became the first in school history to reach the sectional finals. Even more impressive, the girls finished the regular season as SEC Liberty Division champions, with a conference record of 10-2.

The Hillbillies will graduate three seniors: Captains Brielle Cummings, Julie Rosenberg, and Remy Sullivan.