Yavneh defeated RASG Hebrew Academy of Miami 53-42 Thursday afternoon to advance to the quarterfinals of Yeshiva University’s Red Sarachek Tournament. The win improves the Bulldogs record to 25-7.
The national rumor is clearly that star Senior David Naxon is all the Yavneh Bulldogs have. Apparently, once again, the nation was a bit off. While Naxon struggled through his first career scoreless first half en route to a 14 point-10 rebound double double, counterpart Seniors Erez Krengel and Brad Alhadef stole the show. Krengel scored a game-high 21 points and Alhadef streaked down the court for several key layups to help shake off some early tournament jitters. Hebrew Academy started the game with a quick 4-0 run and dominated the pace of play for the entire first half. If not for heavy foul trouble throughout the game, the Bulldogs may well have had a much bigger war on their hands. The top two Hebrew Academy players just could not stay on the court in Joseph Saka and Koby Schwarzbaum. The game was called particularly close for a Sarachek game, with 11 fouls called in the first 5 and a half minutes. Hebrew Academy had their game high lead of 5 in the first quarter, and led 9-6 to end the stanza.
The Bulldogs put on a second quarter run to capture the lead but the game remained tooth and nail at 15-15 to end the first half. HA’s Saka could not be stopped down low at times while Yavneh struggled to score points. Naxon never has scoreless halves but did on this afternoon going 0/3 with 3 turnovers. Hebrew Academy also owned the boards at 16-9. However, the second half was a different story. Neither team scored a bucket until Alhadef went coast to coast with 3:54 left in the third quarter. The run was extended to 10-4 as Yavneh’s pressure defense finally broke through. Naxon finally hit a free throw to break his drought with 3:32 remaining. While a 5-0 run Hebrew Academy’s way kept the score close to end the third period, Naxon was now on the scoreboard and foul trouble dictated that Yavneh would have their way. A quick 7-0 Yavneh run to start the final quarter was capped by a Naxon layup from Freshman Elan Kogutt and the game was clinched minutes later with a slam dunk from the “Scintillating Senior”. Following a parade to the free throw line, Yavneh could officially celebrate their first YU Tournament Quarterfinal appearance since “Itzy and Gavi” days. Senior Michael San Soucie and Junior William Zalstein pulled down some ferocious rebounds in key situations to protect the lead.
Yavneh will play their quarterfinal game Friday, most likely in the early afternoon.
THE KENNEL REPORT IS WRITTEN BY ZACK POLLACK