Dunkel steps up as Pascack Valley’s run continues by Chris Iseman of The Record
FRANKLIN LAKES – All through Pascack Valley’s remarkable run through the state tournament, a different player has stepped up each game to provide key contributions at exactly the right time.
On Thursday night, coach Jeff Jasper called for Cerina Dunkel
This was her opportunity. She delivered.
“When he called my number, I knew it was my time,” Dunkel said. “It was a close game so I just knew I needed to step it up for my team when they needed me.”
Dunkel came off the Indians’ bench and drained a big three-pointer just before the buzzer at the end of the third quarter, then went 7-of-8 from the free throw line in the final period to help Pascack Valley pull off a 66-53 comeback victory over Somerville in the Group 3 semifinals at Ramapo High School.
The Indians will play Ocean City in Sunday’s final at Pine Belt Arena in Toms River.
Pascack Valley trailed by seven points at halftime, but came out of the break with increased tenacity and intensity, especially on the defensive end.
“We always say in the locker room, if we have a lead, the first three minutes of the next half is the most crucial three minutes,” said Kelly Petro, who had 17 points. “And for us, the roles were reversed today and I think we kind of knew what it was like to be other side and we knew what we had to do, and we had to almost take them by surprise and play our game.”
The Indians chipped away at the deficit by getting key steals, and subsequently took control of the game.
Sophomore guard Brianna Smith drained a three-pointer from the left corner at the 1:30 mark of the third to give her team a 40-38 lead.
But the Pioneers’ Nyasia Thomas then hit consecutive threes, and later hit a free throw to push Somerville’s lead to five points.
That’s when Dunkel came through for Pascack Valley, knocking down a triple just before the buzzer.
“I actually didn’t know how much time was left,” Dunkel said. “I just heard people on the bench screaming. I just turned and they were like, ‘Shoot it, shoot it,’ and I just went for it.”
Dunkel’s three cut the Pioneers’ lead to 45-43.
Brianna Wong, who scored 12 points, made a three at the 6:58 mark in the fourth to push the Indians ahead, 46-45.
They never trailed again.
Smith, who scored all 14 of her points in the second half, hit another key three less than one minute later to make it 51-46.
Dunkel then nailed seven of her eight free-throw attempts to seal Pascack Valley’s victory.
She became the latest to step up.
Jasper said the ride his team has been on is like a script that could’ve been written by his son Geremy, who has written and directed a movie called “Patti Cake$” that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January to rave reviews.
“I’m telling you this is a magical mystery tour,” Jasper said. “Lennon, McCartney got this whole thing laid out, my son Geremy must’ve written it. That’s all I can say.”
The Indians are rolling. Everyone’s contributing.
Now Pascack Valley will play for a Group 3 championship.
“Jasper always tells us you never know when it’s going to be your turn to step up and make an impact,” Petro said, “and I think Cerina did just that.”