The 2023-24 girls basketball state tournament keeps moving along, and we’re on to the sectional semifinals.
Below, find a quick breakdown and picks for each of Thursday’s North 1 Group 3 semifinals.
3-Ramapo at 2-Old Tappan
Ramapo and Old Tappan will meet for the second time this season after Ramapo had a hard-fought win over sixth-seeded Northern Highlands in the quarterfinals, while Old Tappan beat 10th-seeded West Essex in the quarterfinals. Old Tappan won the first meeting 43-34 on Dec. 16, the second game of the season for both teams. Ramapo has been strong defensively this season and will have to try and contain Old Tappan senior Layla Giordano, who scored her 1,000th career point in the win over West Essex.
The pick: Old Tappan
5-Demarest at 1-Teaneck
Demarest defeated fellow Big North Conference opponent and fourth-seeded River Dell to advance to the semifinals, while Teaneck had a hard-fought win over eighth-seeded Morris Knolls. Demarest and Teaneck’s semifinal contest will be the third time this season that the two teams will play each other. Teaneck won the first meeting, while Demarest won the second contest. Both coaches are likely going to come up with a wrinkle or two on Thursday compared to the first two meetings. Controlling the glass is also going to play a factor as far as who comes out on top.
The Pick: Teaneck
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