With a 58-46 victory over #1 seeded Paterson Charter in Paterson, the #4 seeded Hillbillies boys basketball team captured the North 1, Section 1 state championship.

The team was led by Travis Jocelyn who had 16 points and 11 rebounds, and Jack Farrell, who had 14 points and 9 rebounds.

The game capped an exciting tournament run for the Hillbillies, which featured resounding victories over Saddle Brook and Park Ridge and a nail-biting, buzzer-beating, heart-stopper with Palisades Park.

In that game, Palisades Park had a chance to hit a free throw with just seconds left that would have iced the game by giving them a 4-point and ended Verona’s season well short of their hopes for themselves. Instead, the shot was missed, Verona grabbed the rebound, raced down court, and junior Travis Jocelyn launched a prayer from way outside the three-point line.  His prayer was answered, tying the game.  Verona won in overtime.

After the sectional championship, Verona played and lost to a very talented University High team who went on to capture the overall Group 1 state championship.

The team, which starts all underclassmen and is led by two junior captains, has high hopes of a sectional championship repeat or better next year.