Boys Basketball: Delaware Valley tops Bernards to clinch share of division title
BERNARDSVILLE – Plenty of good happened Tuesday for the Delaware Valley High School boys’ basketball team.
The Terriers (14-3) avenged one of their three losses by beating Bernards 49-43, clinched at least a share of the Skyland Conference Mountain Division title and delivered coach Mike DePaolo’s 100th career win. Earlier in the day the Terriers learned they had earned the No. 4 seed in the Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex Tournament that begins this weekend. It’s believed to be their best-ever seed in the event, bettering last year’s No. 5.
“This win and division title is huge for this team,” DePaolo said. “There was a lot of unknown going into this year and a lot of players who were stepping into roles they weren’t in previously. The win validates all the hard work the team has put in during the summer, fall, preseason and season and we are looking to continue to build upon it.
“Our guys really are a team. They enjoy playing together, have each other’s backs, and are very tight knit. It’s a very fun and special group to coach and be a part of.”
Del Val now needs to win at Manville Thursday night to win a second-straight division outright. The Terriers are 6-1 in Mountain play, Manville 5-2 and Bernards 5-3. A loss to the Mustangs would mean co-champs since the Terriers beat Manville 63-59 earlier this month in Alexandria.
Sophomore forward Eric Klemmer’s put back gave the Terriers a 23-17 halftime lead. Del Val led 33-30 after three quarters
KEY MOMENTS
Bernards (8-9) cut its deficit to 36-35 on Gabe Morales’ three-pointer with just over five minutes to play. But Eric Klemmer got a steal, drove to the basket, scored and was fouled. His free throw gave the Terriers a 39-35 lead. Another Morales lead cut the Terrier lead back to one at 39-38. But Klemmer immediately hit a bucket and it was back to 41-38. Each time Bernards closed, the Terriers answered. Two Denvir free throws gave Del Val a 45-40 with just over a minute to play.
NUMBERS
The Terriers outscored Bernards 18-5 at the free throw line. Denvir scored nine of his 17 points at the line. Senior Justin Kolpan had 12 points and Klemmer 11.
Morales scored 10 points to lead Bernards.
WHATS NEXT
Del Val plays at Manville Thursday night and then prepares to play the winner of Saturday’s North Warren-Wallkill Valley game in the Hunterdon Warren Sussex Tournament. The Terriers will host that game next Tuesday.
Bernards plays a non-conference game Thursday at Morris Hills.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Delaware Valley boys basketball tops Bernards in big day for program
