HSAA North defeated Yavneh 59-53 Thursday night. The loss drops the Bulldogs record to 14-7.
For the second straight game Yavneh simply figured it out just a fraction too late. Rising Junior Jordan Prescott put on a late show with 9 of his 26 points in succession on three straight three pointers in a 90 second stretch. But even that display left the Bulldogs a possession away from cracking the most athletic team on the schedule to date.
It was clear from nearly the opening tap that HSAA had athletes that Yavneh could not match up with in a full court game. 12-4 became 20-6 in a flash as the visitors side barely missed a shot early and preyed on careless Bulldog turnovers that were instant kerosene to the HSAA running attack. In all, a 22-6 first quarter saw HSAA outshoot Yavneh 62-22%. The fact that the game was just a 15 point spread throughout most of the second period was fortunate for the Bulldogs as this could have been a 25 point game easily. On the flip side, though, Yavneh was squandering scoring chances that could have put them right into the thick of the game. 18% first half shooting included no less than 5 missed point blank opportunities and a frigid 1/8 from three point land. The 7 turnovers and 10 offensive rebounds allowed rounded all that into a game in which HSAA was about to break open.
Every team, however, has its kryptonite if there is time to uncover it. HSAA was so unsettled playing a half court game that Yavneh’s best success literally came by grinding the game to a screeching halt. The offensive openings eventually were there for the home squad while HSAA was now having to work for everything they got. Travel after travel, and quick shot after quick shot, the team that was so fluidly making the Bulldogs look like an elementary school recess group suddenly could not get what they wanted. The lead, however, stayed where it was because Yavneh just could not buy a basket. Missed layups by a host of players, careless turnovers at the worst possible times, and just bad luck on three pointers halfway down and then out continued to keep HSAA ahead 46-28 through three periods.
As the Bulldogs stubbornly continued to slow the game despite a seemingly insurmountable deficit, finally a few breaks started to pave the way for a special finish. Senior Elan Kogutt and Freshman Adam Karnett were able to get to the foul line and knock 4 points off the lead with the clock stopped and HSAA in no rhythm at all. Yavneh needed their budding superstar Prescott to climb out of a three quarter long funk and he did just that. He was not the first #22 to scorch multiple clutch three pointers with his Yavneh team on the ropes but flashbacks aside the Bulldogs had come nearly all the way back. The last of a string of three Prescott triples in less than 2 minutes cut the deficit to 55-51 with 48.2 seconds to play. Although they fumbled away 2 good chances in the closing seconds to close the game to within a single basket, it was clear that the Bulldogs had drawn their line in the sand. Prescott led all scorers again with 26 points. Kogutt followed with 9 points/9 rebounds, and Karnett chipped in with 9 points of his own.
It is never good to lose a game much less one that yields your first three game losing streak all season long. From despair, however, comes hope. Lessons learned are not always easy, and the courageousness of that fourth quarter comeback could be what this team looks back on as a turning point in their season much like the loss at Beren Houston in November. Will Yavneh (14-7) bounce back on the road far away from home at Commerce HS on Tuesday? Will the trio of big men finally start to finish at the rim with consistency? Will the electricity of Prescott’s rising stardom continue to grow and open the door for Kogutt to get easier looks than he has ever seen? And will this team springboard from a season-changing final 4 minutes?
Only time will tell!!!
The Kennel Report, now in its seventh season, is written by…
Zack Pollack M&M
MWJR? 3-9