Yavneh defeated Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy of Kansas 68-51 Monday morning to finish in 7th place at Yeshiva University’s Red Sarachek Tournament. The win ends the Bulldogs season with a record of 26-9.
Prior to Monday’s seventh place Sarachek game, a virtual must-win sendoff for the five Yavneh Seniors, the group spoke of the importance to play as a close-knit team one final team in order to beat a pesky opponent. Close was an under-statement alright. With the crowd literally part of the players’ bench, a trio of Seniors employed the help of the Freshmen who is the future to dominate a longtime rival. Erez Krengel, the leading scorer of the Sarachek Tournament, led the way with 28 points. David Naxon followed suit with 13 points and 13 rebounds while Brad Alhadef was right behind with 8 points and 8 friendly assists. All the while, Freshman Elan Kogutt recorded the second double-double of his career with 14 points and 10 rebounds. It was the first time in 5 years that two Bulldogs had double-doubles in the same game. The Hyman Brand players were quite gentlemanly all game, turning the ball over 24 times. The teams traded miscues in the opening minutes, each scoring their first four points on opposition turnovers. Krengel got himself on the scoreboard with a subsequent 5-0 run for a 9-4 Yavneh lead. The run reached 13-0 as Naxon recorded his first bucket on a strong put back to make it 17-4. 10 Hyman Brand turnovers in less than 6 minutes started the un-raveling. The first quarter ended at 21-6 and for the second game in a row, Yavneh had an opponent gasping for air with a fast-paced game. However, like last game, the opponent was not going to roll over. Star Hyman Brand marksman Cory Gutovitz scored 9 of his game-high 29 points in the opening 64 seconds of the second quarter. The trio of triples in just over a minute sliced the Bulldog lead to just 6 points. Not being able to afford the rest he was being given, “Cory Stopper” Alhadef was rushed back into action to defend. While Gutovitz got his points, Alhadef made him work for everything with a harassing defensive shadowing routine. A late Yavneh run made it 33-19 at the half. The Bulldogs continued to turn HB over time and again, wearing down the normally scrappy crew. There would be no collapse in the third quarter on this morning. Naxon punished the HB posts with 4 huge blocked shots, Krengel continued to put up points, and the Bulldogs led 43-19. By the end of the third quarter, Hyman Brand was recklessly trapping all ball handlers, and had truly been defeated. With the exception of a brief 8-1 run in the final period, Yavneh coasted to the finish by continuing to impose their will. Finally, the Bulldogs had shown up to New York City and showed how special they are when everyone is clicking. Kogutt, who had seemed nervous for much of first Sarachek Tournament, had himself a perfect 5/5 day and looked really crisp. Yavneh was able to be the aggressor, shooting 30 free throws compared to Hyman Brand’s mere three charity shots. The other two Seniors battled to the end as well. Michael San Soucie played the majority of the game and defended the interior with 4 assists while Baruch Shawel nailed two late free throws to secure the Bulldog margin. Shawel was the glue on this year’s team that would do anything from knocking down a needed shot to livening the bench with his hip-hop energy tactics. San Soucie patrolled the paint for most of his four years and was a vocal leader on and off the court. Brad Alhadef truly ended his career playing the best basketball of his life. His speed and agility, coupled with his court vision, an outside shot on the rise, and a tenacious defensive intensity made Brad a game-changer every time out. David Naxon is the most athletic player to don a Yavneh uniform. His ability to dunk and play above the rim gave the Bulldogs an edge every time out, especially in warm ups. Naxon was a target in every game and proudly represented the Yavneh name despite the double, triple, and quadruple teams he saw night in and night out. He will go down as one of the great offensive superstars (not to mention rebounders) in Yavneh history. For four years, Erez Krengel saved his best basketball for the clutch moment. Earning the nickname “Ice” in his sophomore season for his heroic 1-and-1 conversion in the Sarachek Tier 3 semifinal, Krengel won a host of games in the final possession. The Yavneh program was in need of a shooter after Itzy Ribald, and that was Erez Krengel. By the way, he did go 10/10 from the free throw line in his final game. These Seniors led Yavneh to a great record and tied for the second best Sarachek finish in school history.
As it is, the future could not be brighter for the Yavneh program. Next season will bring the deepest and most talented Freshman class from a depth perspective ever. With only one Senior, William Zalstein, and a host of Juniors, the team will be young and ready to gain experience. Current Freshman Elan Kogutt proved this season that he can play and will have plenty of help for the next three seasons. For the first time, rather than one or two major superstars, Yavneh may sneak to the top of the rankings as a deep team. The Bulldogs will have multiple weapons throughout the next three seasons and beyond. Will Yavneh re-tool and return to the top, and if so, will this be the time that they finally break through and win Sarachek?
THE KENNEL REPORT IS WRITTEN BY ZACK POLLACK