Sidor propels Saddle River Day to 3rd straight Bergen County Girls Basketball Championship Title

Saddle River Day junior Michelle Sidor said the Bradley Center on the campus of Ramapo College is her second home as opposed to the home court and loves playing there. Who could doubt Sidor’s confidence?

Two years ago in the Bergen County Girls Basketball Tournament Sidor tallied 105 points including 34 in the Rebels win over Teaneck in the championship game and last season she dropped 28 against Immaculate Conception.

Having scored her 2,000th career point this season, Sidor and the rest of the Saddle River Day squad would go for a three-peat on Sunday against a potent Pascack Valley (23-2) team that only lost once this year.

An overflow crowd at the Bradley Center watched a terrific battle between Sidor and Pascack Valley senior Brianna Wong in the first half. Sidor dropping in 20 of her game high 34 points with Wong pouring in her 15 of her 31 points on the day. Leading 16-15 at the end of the first quarter, the Indians offense went ice cold from the perimeter, unable to score a point for 4:40 allowing the Rebels to take a 32-28 advantage at halftime.

“I had so much energy coming into this game, the atmosphere and sold out and brings out my best game,” said Sidor. “I know I had to rise to the occasion and to get the win, it’s a title and championship. Danny Brown and my teammates deserve it and it’s special.”

Saddle River Day Head Coach Danny Brown, “It was a great game, to have a full house like this and be in that type of battle was fantastic. Michelle (Sidor) was focused and a kid who has the green light, full throttle and trust her with the ball.”

In the second half, the Rebels managed to extend their advantage at double digits, taking a 46-36 lead into the final period. However, Pascack Valley hung touch by chipping away at the deficit. Wong and senior Torianna Tabasco knocking down back-to-back triples cutting Saddle River’s lead down to 48-46 with less than four minutes remaining.

Once again Sidor (34 points) delivered in the clutch, converting on a three-point play and following it up with a trey pushing the margin back up to seven with 2:50 remaining. The Rebels (17-6) hit four free throws down the stretch for the 60-55 victory.

“CC (Carolyn Carrera) did a great job on Brianna Smith and Jordan (Janowski) coming off the bench gave us a great boost of energy,” Sidor said. On the battle with Wong, “She is a great player, a senior, going to Pace and I respect her, put on a great game and team on her back.”

“At halftime we focused on rebounding and defense and the kids came out and jumped right into that role so it caught Pascack Valley a little off and CC (Carolyn Carrera) did an amazing job and bought into her role for this game, Brown said. It means everything to this program and for a tiny little school to be her this awesome and win it incredible for our school and community and kids who bought into it.”