Hopatcong Girls Youth Basketball Team 'Stood Together'

Hopatcong's seventh-grade girls travel basketball team was down 20 points in the first half of a game earlier this season. But instead of giving up, the Hawks fought back, closing the deficit to four points by game's end.

And though Hopatcong lost, it was a memorable moment for coach Mark Acierno, whose girls finished as runner-ups in their league after a 13-1 regular season.

"We have seen other teams fall apart and work against each other," Acierno said. "But not our team. They supported each other and stood together."

The Hawks' campaign ended with a 26-19 championship loss. But that's not how the girls will remember the season, Acierno said.

Hopatcong was a team filled with talented players. "I have said it all year," Acierno said, "that each one of these girls makes each other better. We have eight girls that play relentless defense and all know their jobs and go out there and perform.

"We could not have made it as far as we did without all their contributions."

• Gabby Acierno led Hopatcong—and the league, her father said—in rebounds (20-plus per game) and blocked shots.
• Dana Bibeault "really turned it on during the playoffs," Acierno said. Bibeault had 14 points against Roxbury.
• Melissa Villardo was the Hawks' "second-tier rebounder" for her ability to scrap for loose balls that slipped past the bigs, Acierno said.
• Eldina Kucevic, the squad's point guard, was the floor general. "Eldina has more maturity as a point guard than I have seen in girls a lot older," Acierno said. "Most basketball players are concerned about one thing—scoring. But Eldina knows that if her team scores 40 points, she scores 40 points."
• Jamie Kufta was one of the Hawks' best playmakers, using her vision to see the floor and hit the open shooter. She also is "a great outside shooter," Acierno said.
• Catelyn Pisano's versatility served Hopatcong well. Acierno said she played forward and guard, often outrebounding bigger girls.
• Danielle Hulsman's hustle contributed to the Hawks' success. "Danielle just gives all-out hustle, especially when we press the opposing team," Acierno said. "She has great lateral movement and will attack any loose ball."
• Sara Taddeo's midrange jumper helped Hopatcong extend a few leads. "She has the ability to always find the open spot in the key, making her a real scoring threat," Acierno said.

Acierno said he likes Hopatcong's chances of "winning it all" next year. He said the girls have a 42-11 record since playing together since fifth grade.

"We have gotten better every year," Acierno said. "Every year they have gotten one step closer to the finals."