Yavneh defeated Denver’s Rocky Mountain High 60-41 Saturday evening in to win The Dr. Robert Baruch Teaching Tolerance Tournament for the third straight season. The win improves the Bulldogs record to 3-0, also for the third season in a row.
In front of two of the greatest Yavneh Bulldogs of all-time, Senior sensation David Naxon poured in the greatest game of his three year career to date by scoring 47 points. Both teams came out of the gates sluggishly in what would be a physical and foul-laden game. The Bulldogs attempted just 1 field goal in the first 3 minutes while committing four quick turnovers. When they did finally get their games in gear, Seniors Naxon and Erez Krengel scored the first seven points for Yavneh in building a quick 16-8 lead. Naxon established his inside presence early and often, with 15 first quarter points. RMHA could only foul Naxon in attempting to slow him down. A 19-11 first quarter saw the Bulldogs shoot 75% from the field but commit 10 turnovers. RMHA was no better, also turning the ball over at will. While the pesky school from Denver suffered through a night in which all their major players were deep in foul trouble, the Bulldogs were not immune to the whistle either. Seniors Erez Krengel and Brad Alhadef spent almost the entire second quarter on the bench in foul trouble as well. The game stayed within 10 points the entire first half with Naxon continuing to score at will but turnovers being the only thing in the way of a blowout early. Desi Rotenberg kept RMHA within striking distance the entire evening with 16 hard-earned points. Naxon finished the half with 28 points on 10/14 shooting but the Bulldogs lead was just 33-25. The game would be as close as 6 points in the third quarter before Yavneh would make their decisive run. With Krengel still on the bench with 4 fouls late in the third quarter, Naxon’s tip-in followed by a monstrous block started to tip the momentum. Alhadef and Sophomore Josh Karnett took two charges to put RMHA on the brink. When Alhadef slipped through the defense to lay in a 46-33 lead, the game was all but over. Having recorded 36 points through three quarters, the “Scintillating Senior” got it going again in the fourth period with two three point plays and another 11 points. The game was not close down the stretch, although the Bulldogs did elect to go with the full five players on the court for the final possession this game. Naxon’s double-double included the 47 points, 10 rebounds on 16/23 shooting. He is the fourth player in Yavneh history to record 40 or more points in a single game. Yavneh has now won its own tournament in their new gym for three consecutive seasons.
Yavneh (3-0) will play Shelton on Tuesday night. Last season, Yavneh scored 70+ in routing Shelton and enormous Freshman sensation Cole Collins. Besides tackling Naxon, Collins was a complete bust in last year’s contest. It will be interesting to see his progress in a year’s time. It will also be interesting to see how the Bulldogs will settle into their schedule as November starts to heat up.
The Kennel Report is written by Zack Pollack.