Yavneh defeated Parish Episcopal School of Dallas 47-43 Tuesday evening. The win on the season’s opening night makes the Bulldogs 1-0 for the third consecutive year.
With tremendously high expectations and a Senior-laden core group of players back for one final run, Yavneh kick started their season with a win over a gritty and talented Parish squad. Senior Captains Erez Krengel and David Naxon score 20 and 19 points respectively, and Naxon’s four free throws in the final 16 seconds staved off a furious rally in the final minute to hold on in the season opener. The Bulldogs can take solace in knowing that they beat a talented team even without playing their best game. Senior Brad Alhadef scored the first two baskets of the season as Yavneh jumped off to a 17-8 first quarter lead. That first quarter included a flurry of Parish turnovers leading to easy points for Krengel as “Ice” heated up big time in the first 8 minutes. He concluded the quarter with a bullet from just three feet past half court to tally the final three points of the opening stanza. A William Zalstein runner gave Yavneh their biggest lead at 19-8 early in the second quarter but Parish would then make the first of two big runs. This 6-0 spurt was led by sensational scorer Javier Carter, who led all scorers with 25. After 17 first quarter points, 13 of which came from Krengel, Yavneh cooled off before halftime. Both teams shot under 30% for the first half as the Bulldogs maintained a 22-14 halftime lead. With Naxon saddled on the bench having picked up two quick fouls, Yavneh limped to the first half’s conclusion. Parish’s Carter recorded 6 first half blocks. Parish would establish their inside presence in the second half, cutting the lead to 4 before Naxon officially decided to start his season. A quick personal 8 point flurry welcomed the now “Scintillating Senior” to the gym, stretching the lead to 10 points. As Carter started to score easy points at the rim towards the end of the third quarter, the lead was just 30-25 going to the fourth frame. A quick Senior run of 7 points from Krengel & Naxon seemingly put the game away at 37-25. Another Parish 6-0 run put pressure on the Bulldogs but relief came in the form of Freshman Elan Kogutt’s first field goal, a mid-range jumper. With 4:33 to play and an 8 point cushion, Yavneh yielded 12-4 run to let Parish right back in the game. The turnover bug came back to bite the Bulldogs again as Carter and a tandem of post players scored with ease at the other end. At 43-43 and just 15.7 seconds left, Naxon drew contact and knocked down a pair of free throws to put Yavneh back in front. A Michael San Soucie foul at the other end sent Tanney Sledge to the free throw line to miss his 6th consecutive free throw. Naxon retrieved the rebound, sank two more free throws, and the Bulldogs escaped. The Bulldogs won the game shooting just under 30% and committing a gaudy 13 turnovers.
Yavneh (1-0) will play Houston’s Beren Academy in the first semifinal of the Dr. Robert Baruch Teaching Tolerance Tournament Friday morning.
The Kennel Report is written by Zack Pollack.