Yavneh defeated HSAA South 55-31 Tuesday night. The win improves the Bulldogs record to 19-7.
Jordan Prescott scored 19 more points and Yavneh recovered from a disappointing first half with their best offensive quarter of the season Tuesday. HSAA employed a 2-3 zone defense which had the Bulldogs baffled and confused early on. Scoring zero points over the first three minutes, Yavneh looked flat and out of character. Sophomore Adam Karnett finally recorded the first team points with a no-look driving finish over and under three zone defenders. Both teams turned the ball over excessively during the opening stanza. Prescott got into a two shot rhythm shortly thereafter and the Bulldogs built an 8-5 lead courtesy of a Jake Greif find of Sophomore David Rudomin cutting to the basket. The rest of the period belonged to Senior Post Ben Romaner. In the best one minute stretch of his career, Romaner inhaled two rebounds, swiped two steals, and dished out a nice assist. A 10-5 edge quickly went the southern direction that HSAA is identified by. 9-4 was the HSAA run that tied the game late into the first half. Only a Prescott nifty three point play using the basket as a shield surged the Bulldogs to a slim 17-14 halftime lead. Both teams were frustrated shooting under 35% and combining for nearly 20 turnovers. The normally rebound challenged Yavneh team actually held a 19-10 edge with 8 offensive rebounds in a shocking turn of events. But every indication was that this would be an ugly fight to the finish with the winning team barely breaking 30 points.
The Bulldogs clearly digested Offensive Cheerios at halftime because Yavneh North emerged from the locker room. Prescott quickly drilled a triple and before anyone could blink the lead was 22-14 on a steal/assist by Sophomore Itai Guttman to classmate Adam Karnett. The pace became frenetic and HSAA simply could not handle the pressure. A series of great passes to create offense followed as the second half run reached 15-2. Karnett to Greif then Prescott to Guttman then Karnett to Guttman. Prescott followed with his patented five point personal run and suddenly Yavneh was doubling up HSAA 32-16. With their opponents reeling and on the brink of being run out of the gym the Bulldogs inserted a shooter heavy lineup to put the game on ice. Sophomore Sam Kleinman bulleted a pass to Rookie Ori Guttman in the opposite corner who caught, fired, and connected all in one motion for a 20 point lead. 26-5 was the third period tally in which Yavneh woke up and ran their winning streak to 5 games. Another 15-3 run turned the game into a laugher for the final five minutes. Kleinman and the younger Guttman continued to carve up the HSAA defense well into the final period. On one play they hooked up courtesy of a Guttman gallop through the lane in which he passed 4 of the 5 defenders en route to the hoop. Prescott led all scorers with 19 points. David Rudomin and Ori Guttman added 10 & 7 points respectively on 3/4 shooting each. Karnett and Kleinman both had active games combining for 9 points and 6 assists. Senior Captain Jake Greif had a high assist game as well (3) as both he and Romaner played big roles in the victory.
Yavneh (19-7) will attempt to run their winning streak to 6 games as they welcome in Dallas International School for a rematch. It should be noted that DIS struggled in the early season matchup but have since had the opportunity to get better as a basketball team as well as having many of their International players adjust to life in America.
The Kennel Report, now in its eighth season, is written by…
Zack Pollack M&M
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