Tenafly Keeps Rolling, Downs Don Bosco Prep to Reach Jamboree Semifinals

photo by: Ayden Acdebo | coverage by: AJ Morales

At some point, an undefeated season stops being a surprise and starts becoming a statement. Tenafly made another one Sunday afternoon, knocking off historic Bergen County power Don Bosco Prep, 45–39, to punch its ticket to the Bergen County Jamboree semifinals and move to a flawless 19–0 on the season.

On a neutral floor at FDU, the game didn’t unfold with fireworks early. Both teams felt each other out, possessions were deliberate, and points were hard to come by. Don Bosco’s physicality and experience kept things tight through the first half, and Tenafly found itself in a low-scoring grind rather than a track meet. At the break, neither side had created real separation, and the outcome was very much in doubt.

That changed coming out of halftime.

Tenafly flipped the game in the third quarter with its defense and energy. The Tigers held Don Bosco to just eight points in the period while finding their rhythm offensively, outscoring the Ironmen 22–14 to take control. Stops turned into confidence, confidence turned into flow, and suddenly Tenafly looked like the team that hasn’t lost all season.

Nick Baldini was the steady force throughout, finishing with 16 points and 10 rebounds, controlling the glass and delivering timely scoring when Tenafly needed it most. Adin Goldschneider impacted the game in every possible way, finishing with 10 points, six assists, and four steals, setting the tone defensively and pushing the pace when openings appeared. Contributions came from everywhere, with ball movement and spacing forcing Don Bosco to defend multiple threats on every possession.

“We came into the game knowing most of the gym thought it was going to be a straight blowout because they’re such a distinguished program,” Goldschneider said. “We knew we needed to bring a ridiculous amount of energy to win this game and that’s what we did. We all knew we had a chance to make history.”

That belief showed most on the defensive end. Tenafly’s rotations were sharp, passing lanes were crowded, and Don Bosco never found sustained rhythm. Every stop fed the next one, and the Tigers played with a connectedness that’s become their trademark.

“This season we’ve played such good defense as a team that it’s hard for us to lose or let up a lot of points,” Goldschneider said. “Our rotations and everything we do on defense are so intact that we bring so much energy when we get stops.”

Even as Don Bosco tried to make late pushes, Tenafly stayed composed. The Tigers didn’t rush possessions, didn’t panic, and trusted the balance that has carried them all season. With multiple shooters on the floor and players who can get downhill, Tenafly continued to make the right reads and close the game out at the free-throw line and on the glass.

Offensively, that versatility is what makes this group difficult to defend. “We have so many shooters and players that can kick out to shooters and get to the basket,” Goldschneider said. “It makes us such a dynamic team and hard to guard because we have so many weapons.”

Now 19–0 and headed to the Bergen County Jamboree semifinals, Tenafly’s run is no longer flying under the radar. The Tigers have stacked wins, answered every test, and continue to raise the standard with each outing. “We’re led by great coaches who push us so hard in practice and prepare us so well for games,” Goldschneider added. “Everyone contributes in different ways and we all love each other so much.”

Tenafly will go on to face off aginst St. Mary's Rutherford in the Semi Finals of the Bergen County Jamboree this coming Saturday.