Yavneh defeated THESA 54-52 Tuesday evening. The win improves the Bulldogs record to 9-6.
Yavneh players shoot 30 free throws in most practices. One would think when the team shot 38 in Tuesday’s game (most since 53 vs. Hyman Brand in ’03) it would have led to an easy win. However, Yavneh had to overcome a large halftime deficit and get big contributions from multiple players in holding on for dear life against a talented, veteran squad. The game started with the teams in a stalemate for nearly three minutes at the outset. Neither team scored as Freshman Jake Greif kept the Bulldogs in the game defensively, recording two of his three blocks in the opening minutes. With the teams combining to go 2 for their first 14 from the field, Greif was more than happy to contribute a maybe-not so intentional foul line bank shot for the lead 12-10 at the end of the opening stanza. Junior Captain scored 5 big first period points (2/2 shooting). Yavneh controlled the scoreboard during most of the first half up until the final 3 minutes. Suddenly, the Bulldogs lost their defensive intensity at one end and committed 10 unforced turnovers at the other end. It completely flipped the game as THESA ended the half on a 18-5 run. Yavneh found themselves down 9 points to a team that seemed to have more talent. Some type of energy was certainly needed and it came at the defensive end. With a renewed and intense half court defense, the Bulldogs immediately pressured their way to a 6-0 third quarter start. It seemed as if every time Yavneh strung a run together, THESA had an answer. The Bulldogs could get no closer than 4 points until Freshman Jordan Prescott’s wing and a prayer found all the iron and the rim before dropping. He followed that up with a free throw with leading scorer Elan Kogutt topping off a great third quarter with a driving layup. The 8-2 run completed a 14-6 third period in which Yavneh accomplished two major things: They established an aggressive defense that hit THESA in the mouth and challenged them to score. Also, Yavneh reached the foul bonus mid-way through the third quarter, meaning that the Bulldogs were shooting freebies down the stretch while THESA was earning their points the hard way. The game became ultra-physical in the second half and that actually seemed to favor a normally finesse oriented Kogutt and friends. Yavneh had finally climbed the mountain at 34-34 with 7:33 to play. Yet another THESA 4 point response settled the game back down for the visitors at 38-34. Blanketing Kogutt in the final period, THESA was begging someone else to beat them. Clearly THESA had prior engagements during Yavneh’s December game vs. Panama HS and was unfamiliar with the heroics of Mr. 4th Quarter. But at that moment, out of the manufactured smoke, appeared Jordan Prescott with a “Game On!!” three pointer from the wing to cut the lead to 38-37. He followed that up with a pair of free throws for the lead at the 5:28 mark. Classmate Jake Greif responded to yet another 4 point THESA response with a sweet angle move. As has been a habit for Greif, he followed his points with an ensuing abduction that led to Kogutt finishing the play for a 44-44 tie 2:50 from the finish. The game needed a prime time performer to swing the game and on stepped Senior William Zalstein. His steal led to a free throw for the lead at 45-44. Prescott then found Karnett hiding under the basket for 47-44, starting a parade to the free throw line that seemingly iced the game at 50-44 with 58.4 seconds to play. THESA would not go away, though. Nathan and Daniel Pressnell became the fifth brother combo to torture Yavneh in recent years, continuing to fire away at the lead. Nathan led all scorers with 19 points and Daniel added 15 but it was Daniel Grove connecting for his only three points of the night that sent the SRC into a cold panic with 11 seconds left. The lead was just 54-52 as Greif stepped to the line for free throws #37 and 38 on the evening. The Freshman showed maturity far beyond his years by recognizing that THESA had no timeouts after missing the first free throw. He clanged the second shot off the back rim, leaving THESA only a shot that would have made Sportscenter had it gone in from 7/8 court. Kogutt led Yavneh with 17 points but got help from nearly the entire team. Prescott had a big game with 14 points and the electric final period in which he netted 9 of those. Karnett also reached double figures in a solid effort. Greif was active and keyed the comeback from the post position but also got help from teammates Ben Romaner and Ethan Prescott, who played key minutes throughout. All the guards contributed but Zalstein turned the game for good with of all things a game-winning free throw. His defensive intensity and hustle were major factors in the outcome as well. The win was a quality one against tough odds and a talented team.
Yavneh (9-6) will travel to Allen, TX to visit Lucas Christian on Thursday. The Bulldogs won a tough game at home earlier this season but know all too well how tough it is to play at their place. Many remember Erez Krengel’s buzzer beating three pointer for the win in that gym as one of the most exciting finishes in school history. Yavneh will carry a bus full of momentum, particularly at the defensive end of the floor, with them on Thursday.
The Kennel Report, now in its fifth season, is written by…
Zack Pollack M&M