The 2024-25 season was a big deal for the Bernards’ girls’ basketball program, setting a new school record with 23 wins. They went all the way to the North 2, Group 2 semifinals before bowing out to Caldwell.

Naturally, the question becomes: “What do you do for an encore?”

Well, how about 24 wins, another new program record, and another trip to the semifinals?

Check, and check.

Second-seed Bernards survived a slow first quarter – in which they trailed 5-4 by the time it was over – but woke up in the second quarter, and finished out with a 45-25 win over seventh-seed Hanover Park Saturday afternoon in the North Jersey, Section 2, Group 2 quarterfinals.

Now, at 24-4, the Mountaineers will be back home at least one more time – the benefit of a two-seed – to host defending champion Madison (21-6) in the sectional semifinals Tuesday night at 7 pm.

While Aletha Reynolds led Bernards with a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds – the 15th time she’s accomplished the feat this season, while also dishing out six assists – head coach Brett Bisconti may have been even more impressed with the defensive effort.

While his team was a bit sloppy early on the offensive end, they held Hanover Park to single digits in each quarter of the game, and have held their first two state tournament opponents – including 15th-sed Lyndhurst in the opener – to 25 points apiece.

Click below for postgame comments from Bernards’ head coach Brett Bisconti with Central Jersey Sports Radio’s Mike Pavlichko: