648,000 seconds, 10,800 minutes, 180 hours, 90 days. This is the amount of time the Verona Girls Basketball Team, put into its 2013-2014 record breaking season.

This year, Coaches Jess DelVecchio and Katie DiTrani took over as first time Verona Varsity and JV coaches. It was going to be a season unlike any other in the past. With new coaches came new coaching philosophies, new team goals, and new relationships to be built.

The result was a trip to the state sectional championship game. In an exciting and action-packed four game journey the girls basketball team topped off its season with three playoff wins before losing in the final to number-one seed Midland Park.

From the first practice to the last game, hard work and perseverance were always two things both coaches looked for from their players. There were definitely some high highs, but also many lows to the season, and through it all every single person on the team gave it their all, which was very important to both coaches.

“Always forward. We didn’t look back. If we lost the game we used it to fight for the next. We kind of just went all or nothing,” said junior shooting guard Claire Fitzpatrick. Daily practice consisted of the usual drills, but also sprints for not meeting goals during the games such as missing free throws, layups, and box outs.

“Every time we missed a box out [Jess] would make us run at practice. So we (learned to) box out all the time,” commented senior Julie Rosenberg. By the end of the season, what used to be about 15 or more missed box outs a game was cut to under five consistently.

“I am so honored to have coached a group of girls like this one. They listen, they work hard, and they believe in what I tell them,” said Coach DelVecchio.

The main goals of the team from day one were to first off win the conference and then move on and win states. With a final record of 19 and 8, the team accomplished its original goal and won the Liberty Division of the Super Essex County Conference. The team then advanced to the sectional state finals, a feat no other Verona girls basketball team had done before.

“We were so close yet so far away,” said junior point guard Sarah O’Neil after losing to Midland Park by only ten points in the final. However everyone was happy with what they had accomplished up to that point and Fitzpatrick adds, “Being able to look back and see our year on the banner is going to bring back wonderful memories and a rush of great emotions.”

“Jess and I went into coaching saying that it was a priority that we have a good relationship with the girls. I think we have a great relationship and I think we had a lot of fun throughout the season,” said Coach DiTrani. As young, former players, the coaches were able to form a tight bond with the entire team, making it fun, but at the same time demanding the level of respect that is expected with a player to coach relationship. Both Coach DelVecchio and Coach DiTrani, participated in practices, playing like girls on the upcoming opponents’ team, doing their best to challenge the girls and prepare them for game-like situations.

“Their attitudes in practice, the hard defense and offense, and diving all over the floor prepares us for the reality of the game and their chemistry with us works out really well,” said Fitzpatrick.

Not only were the girls teammates on the court, but are also friends outside of the gym.

“I think what made us so successful was that we were so close,” said junior Jackie Brunner. It was an unforgettable and action packed season.“We went out with a bang for sure,” said senior forward Remy Sullivan.