Yavneh defeated Cambridge High School 61-44 Tuesday night. The win improves the Bulldogs record to 3-1.
Jordan Prescott needed just 15 minutes to record a game-high 16 points en route to a comfortable victory Tuesday. Despite a sluggish start in the opening three minutes, Prescott put together 7 points in 95 seconds to jump-start the Bulldogs 9-2. It was flawless execution that buried Cambridge right from the opening chapter. Sophomore Itai Guttman found classmate Adam Karnett on a dime to cap off a 15-4 first period for Yavneh. Prescott recorded 9 points on 3/5 shooting and was able to get some valuable rest for most of the game’s balance. Monday night’s “X” factor Sam Kleinman dominated the start of the second period. He started with back to back assists to each of the Guttman brothers. When the elder Guttman brother tapped a rebound out to the three point line, Kleinman was ready to fire and suddenly Yavneh had built a separation of 22-6. The Bulldogs used nearly the entire team in the first half while cruising to a 9 point advantage as well as gaining valuable rest for their upcoming tournament in Houston. Senior Captain Jake Greif somehow managed to record the first goal-tending violation in school history to complement his 2 rebounds,blocks, and assists. Greif also took another big charge.
For the second straight game the Bulldogs left something in the locker room to start the second half. This time Cambridge executed a 5-0 spurt after Yavneh had extended the lead to 11 points at 25-14. In need of a response, Prescott backed down a Cambridge defender before giving way to Adam Karnett who sparked the game clinching run. Two assists for Karnett including a great find of Senior Ben Romaner in the paint restored the lead to double digits. His efforts would not have been complete without at least one steal to breakaway layup, which extended the lead to 31-19. A nice finish to the third period was provided by Senior Kevin Sulski with two free throws, a three ball, and an airborne monster rebound. Kleinman beat the third quarter buzzer with a long distance connection to Itai Guttman for a 46-30 lead. The younger Guttman started the final period with a great scoop to the hoop and the lead had ballooned to 19 points. The finishing touches were applied once again by Kleinman who recorded double figures on a perfect shooting night (4/4) not to mention 5 assists. His three point play that included a foul and a free throw that used every part of the rim should have been a road map to the final buzzer. The Bulldogs, however, inexplicably went into a fouling frenzy to end the game. In an unprecedented 6 straight possessions (all with a 15+ point lead), the home team committed the all too unnecessary personal foul. It was a good thing that Cambridge would have needed 4 free throws per trip to mount any semblance of a comeback on this night.
There would be no emotional let down from the hysteria of a night earlier nor was there “Look Ahead Syndrome” to a tournament that this Bulldog team has been eyeing for a year. Yavneh (3-1) will travel to Houston for their shot at revenge in Beren’s annual Yaffe Tournament. Having been upset by Beren Academy in a hostile environment one year ago, the Bulldog focus will be to not only be to avenge that contest but also to leave Houston with an all-important early season national tournament championship.
The Kennel Report, now in its eighth season, is written by…
Zack Pollack M&M
TL