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BJ McGrane

BJ McGrane, Sports Editor

BJ McGrane is a junior and has been a part of The Smoke Signal since his freshman year. He is looking forward to improving his skills as a sports editor this year.

All content by BJ McGrane
The baseball team is The PV Student Publications 2020-21 Team of the Year.

Team of the Year: Baseball

June 10, 2021
PV Student Publication Co-Editor in Chief Spencer Goldstein was named the New Jersey High School Journalist of the Year in February.

‘It doesn’t happen without the people around me’

June 8, 2021
Senior Chris Alepa runs long distance for the track and field team. Alepa is one of many seniors who will provide leadership for the team in 2021.

Track and field ‘building a good base for the future’

April 30, 2021
Screen Shot 2021-04-27 at 9.28.50 AM

[Photo] Golf team looks to capitalize on balanced group of seniors

April 27, 2021
In the 2021 season, the Pascack Valley baseball team will return just four players from the 2019 season, three of them pitchers. PV will aim to reload, with many players being in the lineup for the first time this year.

[Photo] Valley baseball to rely on experienced pitching staff in 2021

April 23, 2021
Signing ceremony for college-bound athletes to take place Friday

Signing ceremony for college-bound athletes to take place Friday

April 23, 2021
PVRHSD Superintendent Erik Gundersen confirms his resignation from the position, after sending an email to the entire district. Gundersen accepted the position as Superintendent of Schools at Suffern Central School District, effective July 1.

Gundersen confirms plans to leave PVRHSD

April 21, 2021
AOTW

[Photo] Athlete of the Week: Cori Freeman

March 26, 2021
Athlete of the Week: Mike Supple

Athlete of the Week: Mike Supple

March 19, 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic took off around one year ago, as NJ schools were forced to close starting March 16, 2020.

[Photo] A year in the 'Q'

March 16, 2021
The NBA All-Star Game is set to take place on March 7. Sports Editor BJ McGrane shares his thoughts on how the event could lead to a greater spread of COVID-19.

Opinion: NBA’s decision to host All-Star Game is hypocritical

March 5, 2021
Athlete of the Week: Marco Plasencia

Athlete of the Week: Marco Plasencia

March 5, 2021
BJ McGrane

BJ McGrane

February 24, 2021
Super Bowl LV takes place this Sunday in Tampa, Florida. See how much you know about the history of the big game!

[Photo] How much do you know about the Super Bowl?

February 5, 2021
After being delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the hockey season is underway.

Hockey team aims to overcome limited preparation for 2021 season

January 26, 2021
2020 Pascack Valley Timeline

2020 Pascack Valley Timeline

December 23, 2020
Our reporters had to follow COVID-19 protocols in order to cover football games this season.

Coverage during COVID-19: How reporters adjusted to the pandemic

December 18, 2020
Despite all of PVs classes taking place virtually through Nov. 23, the schools sports will continue.

PV athletics continue despite shift to remote learning

November 14, 2020
Athlete of the Week: Lucas Bernstein

Athlete of the Week: Lucas Bernstein

November 13, 2020
Ryan Donaldson looks to break free of the Demarest defenders. Valley will take on River Dell at home Friday night.

Pascack Valley to face River Dell in 2019 rematch

November 12, 2020
Pascack Valley fell to Old Tappan by a score of 14-7 Friday night at home. PV is now 2-2 on the season.

[Photo] Valley falls to Golden Knights in defensive battle

November 6, 2020
Pascack Valley took down Demarest on Saturday by a score of 34-7, notching its second straight win.

Pascack Valley defeats Demarest in Halloween blowout

October 31, 2020
Pascack Valley football resumes play Saturday morning on the road against Demarest.

[Photo] Valley football to resume play in Demarest

October 30, 2020
The Pascack Valley community expressed its thoughts and opinions in a poll from the PV Student Publication.

2020 Presidential Election in the PV community

October 28, 2020
PV to remain remote through Oct. 28

PV to remain remote through Oct. 28

October 16, 2020
Senior Mike Supple makes the catch in traffic against Ramapo. Valley will look to defeat River Dell on Saturday and move its record over .500.

PV aims to come out on top in Saturday night “slugfest”

October 16, 2020
Pascack Valleys defense lines up against Bergenfield. PV took down the bears by a score of 34-8 on Saturday afternoon.

PV bounces back with win over Bergenfield

October 10, 2020
Pascack Valley girls soccer took down Old Tappan by virtue of freshman Amanda Polyniaks game-winner in double overtime Tuesday night.

[Photo] Valley strikes once to take down Old Tappan in double overtime

October 6, 2020
Luke Palamidis launches the ball downfield. The boys soccer team will look to returning players - like Palamidis - to step up this season.

Not a ‘reloading year’ for boys soccer

October 5, 2020
The Pascack Valley cross country team runs on a trail in practice. The team will lean on its senior leadership and production from its youth this season.

Veteran leadership, young core to lead cross country team

October 5, 2020
Cornerback Chris Cole lines up in coverage. PV takes on Ramapo in a rematch of the 2019 state sectional final Friday night.

Valley to take on Ramapo in state sectional final rematch

October 2, 2020
Coach Len Cusumano watches the Pascack Valley football team. PV plans to build on a 2019 season in which it reached the North 1, Group 3 state sectional final.

New faces, experienced starters to help Valley build on successful 2019 season

October 1, 2020
The Board of Education discussed the final details of the reopening plan before school begins on September 3. The district approved new curricula, a temporary change in course credit for all full year science courses, and new faculty for the 2020-2021 school year.

District puts finishing touches on reopening plan

August 31, 2020
The NJSIAA announced its Return to Play Plan for the 2020-21 school year. The plan includes four seasons, with the indoor Fall sports taking place in March and April.

NJSIAA releases updated “Return to Play Plan”, additional season included for 2020-21

August 22, 2020
In The Last Dance tournament, a team consisting of thirteen players from Pascack Valley will attempt to be the last team standing in the 222-team tournament. The Valley Storm is coached by Jake Lutz, who is also one of ten seniors playing for the team.

New coach, no problem for PV graduates’ “Last Dance” team

July 15, 2020
Senior AJ Menendez attempts to score on his opponent. Menendez along with eight other athletes participated in Pascack Valleys Spring Signing Ceremony on Wed. May 20.

PV holds spring signing ceremony, wrestler continues unlikely journey

May 27, 2020
SAT exam administrations were cancelled for the months of March, May, and June due to the coronavirus. Students who have yet to take the exam or are unsatisfied with their score must take the exam at a later date.

SAT, ACT tests cancelled poses problems for juniors

May 25, 2020
Senior Send-off: Jake Lutz

Senior Send-off: Jake Lutz

May 12, 2020
Senior Send-off: Mel Brentnall

Senior Send-off: Mel Brentnall

May 1, 2020
The girls lacrosse team and softball team posted videos on social media displaying their talent.

[Photo] Spring sports teams showcase talent on social media

April 6, 2020
The girls lacrosse team and softball team posted videos on social media displaying their talent.

Spring sports teams showcase talent on social media

April 6, 2020
Jacob Wrede, playing for Kings College in Pennsylvania, defends the opponent. Wrede is one of many college seniors who will not have the opportunity to play their final season due to COVID-19 concerns.

March Sadness: PV alumni have final college seasons canceled

March 28, 2020
Oren Roznitsky runs at the Armory Track in NYC. PVs Sprint Medley Relay qualified for nationals before the event was cancelled due to coronavirus concerns.

The finish line for the winter track season

March 15, 2020
PV sports cancelled for two weeks due to coronavirus concerns

PV sports cancelled for two weeks due to coronavirus concerns

March 13, 2020
Boys basketball coach Al Coleman talks to his players during a timeout

PV defeated in state sectional semifinal

March 6, 2020
Coach Jeff Jasper attentively watches his team.

Indians knocked out by Old Tappan in quarterfinals

March 4, 2020
Lindsey Jennings snags the loose ball.

Indians prevail over Wayne Hills in first round of playoffs

March 2, 2020
Andrew Martinez runs in a relay at The Armory in New York City.

Athlete of the Week: Andrew Martinez

February 21, 2020
Coach Al Coleman watches the boys basketball team. The Indians fell to Demarest Tuesday night by a score of 48-44.

Boys basketball falls to Demarest on senior night

February 12, 2020
The cheer team poses during its routine. The team performed twice Tuesday night, first defeating Kennedy, and later on defeating Cliffside Park.

Cheer team overcomes injuries to defeat two opponents

January 22, 2020
Coach Jeff Jasper strategizes with his team.

Girls basketball to take on Wayne Valley as part of benefit games

January 17, 2020
Jake Lutz signs to Wagner University to play Division I baseball.

PV senior to follow family footsteps

December 24, 2019
Sophomore Sabrina Hirsch receives a pass from a teammate.

Girls basketball looks to continue to succeed despite tough schedule

December 22, 2019
Smoke Signal Wrapped

Smoke Signal Wrapped

December 20, 2019
James Allmers evades a defender

Indians take down Garfield to advance to state sectional final

November 16, 2019
PV junior Jack Lewis utilizes his console to play video games. One day, students could be playing video games as a sport for Pascack Valley.

High school sports ‘level up’

November 11, 2019
Jake Williams runs past defenders

Indians set to play sectional quarterfinals

November 6, 2019
Andrew Martinez looks for open space

Indians fall to Ramapo, look onward to playoffs

October 25, 2019
Stephen Begen looks for an open receiver

Indians look to capture league championship

October 18, 2019
Junior running back Michael Solazzo evades a defender

Indians get back on track against Ridgefield Park

October 11, 2019
Jeff Jasper speaks after having Jasper Court named after him. On Thursday night, he received the Bob Hurley Award at the 2019 Dan Finn Foundation Charity Gala.

Longtime PV coach receives Bob Hurley Award

October 6, 2019
Stephen Begen runs in the open field

Indians look to go 5-0 in rivalry game

October 4, 2019
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