Yavneh defeated THESA 52-44 Tuesday evening. The win improves the Bulldogs record to 22-6.
Senior Erez Krengel scored 16 points to spur a big second half run as Yavneh came from behind to take out THESA. It was a nice bounce-back for the Bulldogs after losing their much anticipated game with HANC on Sunday. For 16 minutes, though, it looked like THESA had the game at the pace that got them a win the first time around and the same pace that HANC used to shut down the Yavneh offense just days earlier. The game got off to a very slow start, prompting the Bulldogs to call the earliest timeout in school history just 26 seconds into the game. The crowd was just getting settled as Senior David Naxon threw down a two-handed jam off an early steal. Yavneh won the first quarter 13-10, led by zone-buster Senior Baruch Shawel. Shawel scored 5 first quarter points on 2/2 shooting. Yavneh seemed to have THESA out of sorts as they changed pace of the game from fast to slow to start the second quarter. However, the game slowed down in THESA’s favor for the second quarter. A buzzer beating three pointer by THESA’s Stephen Singleton handed the Bulldogs a 23-20 halftime deficit. Among the halftime developments were David Naxon’s continued streak of not getting to the free throw line reaching six full quarters. THESA used the offensive rebound to wear down Yavneh much like HANC had done 54 hours before. The Bulldogs had to get the pace to be faster and this time they did just that. A quick 6-0 Yavneh burst to start the second half was started by another unorthodox William Zalstein to Brad Alhadef assist. Much like the half court heave that Zalstein set Alhadef up with in Houston for an alleyoop layup, he was able to steal a pass and literally punch the ball to Alhadef this time from nearly the same distance. The lead would grow to 9 in the third quarter behind an Alhadef teardrop and several other baskets off turnovers. When the Bulldogs can get the game moving quickly, they are nearly unbeatable. Like several times this season, Yavneh saw their 9 point lead dwindle in the fourth quarter. THESA’s Daniel Pressnell nailed a three pointer to cut the lead to 45-42 with 1:13 remaining. It was no surprise that Erez “Ice” Krengel was able to recover from a poor free throw performance Sunday to drill both of the ensuing attempts to make the score 47-42. When Naxon picked off a pass shortly thereafter, THESA thought they had taken the ball right back by fouling 18% free throw shooter Alhadef. Let’s just say he was due. Alhadef sealed the game by burying both attempts and catapulting himself to the 20+% FT club. He played a solid all-around game by scoring 10 points and getting to the basket on a couple key occasions when the Bulldogs just had to have a hoop. The Big Three all scored in double figures to secure the win. The “Yavneh Payback Tour” continues with Keene’s Chisholm Trail Academy on Thursday. Naxon’s desperation attempts fell short at their place earlier this season. In order to avenge the loss, the Bulldogs will have to figure out how to slow down 4-year starting Point Guard Jordan The and the “twin towers” that CTA features.