Yavneh defeated THE Covenant School of Dallas, Texas 68-44 Monday night. The win improves the Bulldogs record to 21-3 (6-0).
Since 1992, no basketball player on any recorded level has been more efficient than the Unversity of Central Florida’s Tacko Fall shooting a sizzling nearly 74% from the floor in a four-your stretch. On Monday, Yavneh’s own Jonah Eber made it a four game stretch besting that number with a combined 82% from the field as shot selection and finishing has suddenly become his area of expertise. The Senior quad-captain combined with buddies Mason Schwaber and Jason Prager combined for 46 points (outscoring Covenant by themselves), forced 30 more turnovers as a team, and the Bulldogs continued their blitz of District 2 Monday. Prager found Ben Rael right off the opening tap for a bucket, denying the Knights the healthy lead they enjoyed to start the previous meeting. Rael was everywhere early in this game, collecting a total of 6 first period rebounds and providing energy that Covenant was not ready to deal with right from the pre-game technical difficulties to their living room. But the real story of how the home team began this game begins and ends with Junior transfer Avery Levy. The Far East Dallas native worked hard with a pair of offensive rebounds that finally led to an ABOUT TIME layup from Schwaber. With the lead already 6-2 for Yavneh, Levy delivered a shot that nearby Kansas City sports fans (just 508 miles up Interstate 35) could relate to. A long-awaited three pointer, behind the line and worth all three points swished the net for Levy and catapulted the Bulldogs to a 9-2 advantage. Eber flaunted his incredible decision making with a show-and-go finish in the lane for 11-2. More Levy followed with a crafty steal for an AND-ONE finish and a 10-point lead at 14-4. The Bulldogs were off and rolling on a Prager coast-to-coast scoot to the hoop but one of Robert Collins four three pointers kept the Knights close and would trail just 18-12 after one period of play. 1/7 free throw shooting from Yavneh kept this game close for 8 minutes but the Covenant ball security issues (over 60 turnovers in the pair of games) would not allow that trend to continue much longer. Hillel Baynash swiped a pass for one of those turnovers while seated in the defensive paint. Schwaber began the second quarter with two helpers to Eber, who scored three straight times at the rim. The last of those was off a Baynash steal/assist and the two players reversed that play for another basket not too long after. The lead became 12 points on that turn of events and was growing by the possession. Tom Oster abducted another Knight basketball and launched a full-court laser to Eber for a fancy scoop finish. The run had reached 16-3 and was built on takeaways for high percentage finishes. Eber added a great draw-and-dish to Schwaber after taking most of Covenant’s attention before dropping off the assist. Elisha Klein was sprinting up and down the court in transition with a basketball in his possession, attacking by AIR, ground, and finally for points in all the hoopla. His biggest feat may well have been a perfect 4/4 from the free throw line, not only breaking the 1/7 start with a pair of makes but also accounting for 66% of all free throw connections in this game for the Bulldogs. Another 5-point spurt for Yavneh stretched their lead to 43-19 at halftime behind 18 forced turnovers and 23 points from Eber/Schwaber. On the flip side, 7 missed free throws and a chilly 1/9 from three-point range kept the Bulldogs in check.
Eber began the third period with an inverse of how the previous quarter began, assisting on two baskets to Prager and Schwaber this time. Prager returned the favor moments later as Eber made a big-man move in the paint for 2 more points. You will not find a better post passer in the State than Schwaber, whose lobbing setup for Rael brought rain and a 30-point lead in a third period that kept the game out of reach. Although the Knights would outscore Yavneh in a sluggish 12-10 period, the damage had been done and the broken record that included words like Eber, Schwaber, layup, and finish continued to chirp again and again as this duo kept on keeping on. Another passing spectacle from the 6”8 and change post found Levy for his second AND-Something finish of the ball game. This time, Levy and Rael allegedly planned out a scenario where the Sophomore sensation would do a 3D pole vault for the crushing follow score of the latest errant free throw. Eber bid farewell to his fans for this night, completing another 90% shooting exhibition with a challenging reverse layup while switching hands somewhere in mid-air along the way. Schwaber and Prager all but completed the scoring with a finish and a corner triple respectively to cap another runaway victory in District 2. Noah Ohayon and Nik Krasovitsky collected key second half rebounds (8 combined) to secure the win as Covenant was gaining momentum late on the offensive end. Jonah Eber led all scorers with another majestic 19 points (9/10 shooting) coupled with 7 assists and 4 steals. Mason Schwaber added 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists to go along with a pair of blocks. Jason Prager found himself in double-figures as well on 11 points in addition to 5 timely assists. Avery Levy’s 8 points were critical in setting the tone for this game and came with 5 big rebounds as well. Ben Rael also chipped in 6 points, 8 rebounds, and another charge+ in the victory, also dominating the early part of this contest.
Yavneh (21-3) is now through half of their district schedule but has yet to see highly touted Lakehill Prep. The Warriors are undefeated at home in district and that is exactly where Tuesday’s tilt will be played as the Bulldogs look to beat the final of all six District 2 teams. This matchup will be a heavyweight bout as Lakehill is led by all-world Sophomore Mitchell Crow who is All-District, defending Freshman of the Year, and a two-sport (three if you count Social Media) superstar. Will Lakehill force a 3-way tie atop District 2? Can the Red-and-Black take another step towards the district title with a head-to-head advantage over all 6 district teams? Can anyone slow down the freight train that is Jonah Schwaber Mason Eber Express????
ONLY TIME WILL TELL!!!
The Kennel Report, now in its 16th season, is written by…
Zack Pollack M&M
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