Yavneh defeated Maimonidies of Boston, MA 61-57 Thursday evening in the first round of the 15th annual Red Sarachek Tournament to improve the Bulldogs record to 15-15. The game was a Tier Il preliminary qualifier.
Yavneh Bulldogs have gone through many changes this season. Inconsistency has lead to the sub-.500 record that they have. Inconsistency in playing style has been there as well. Traditionally a defensive oriented, grind-it-out team, the Bulldogs changed to an extremely up-tempo playing style midway through the season but then went back to a slower game for the latter part of the regular season. After much thought and consideration, the decision was made to go back to the all-out run and gun style that Yavneh had partially used earlier in the season for the 2006 YU Tournament. This time, though, it was 100% full throttle. Again, the system from D-3 school Grinnell University was used as a model. The goals are simple: attempt 70 shots (forty of which should be 3 point shots), offensively rebound 1/3 of the misses, get at least 4 uncontested run out baskets, and force 32 tumovers. The Bulldogs fell short of all of their goals in the first game under the new system but it would be enough to advance the now 15-15 team. Super Soph David Naxon impressed many with 29 points, at times sending the large crowd into a frenzy. Yavneh started slow, trailing 6-2 early. The new style looked somewhat foolish until a late first quarter run catapulted the Bulldogs into a 20-12 lead. The only problem with shooting mostly three pointers occurs when none of them go in. Yavneh shot a horrendous 3-18 from 3 point range in the first half. The lead was 29-24 at the half after a late Maimonidies run, capped off by a jumper in the closing seconds. The second half would being very stagnantly with Yavneh continuing to misfire from long range but continuing to run and run and run some more. While the lead was cut to 39-37 late in the third quarter, David Naxon made a three pointer in which he was fouled late and the Bulldogs maintained a 45-39 lead through three quarters. Erez Krengel and Naxon were very aggressive towards the end of that third quarter. The fourth quarter saw Yavneh explode in front 52-41 with 5:10 to play. Erez Krengel delivered an NBA 3 pointer and all looked in the bag at that point. Yavneh, however, continued to run and gave Maimonidies the gasoline for an epic comeback. With the score close at 57-54, Shlomo Golshivazian delivered a clutch three pointer, the only that Maimonidies would hit in the game. The score was 57-57 with 58 seconds remaining. It was time for the “next great Yavneh star” to step up and win the game. Naxon did not disappoint. He delivered a huge post move off a pass from Senior Josh Abrams to give Yavneh the 59 57 lead. After a defensive stop (2 Maimo missed FT’s), Erez Krengel snatched a critical rebound and made 1/2 free throws to give Yavneh the lead 60-57. With just 11.9 seconds remaining, after another Yavneh stop, Sam Pulitzer was fouled and could not increase the lead to 2 possessions. His 2 missed free throws kept Maimonidies in the game one final time. It was not going to happen, however, as Maimonidies missed again and Sophomore Bradley Alhadef was able to make 1/2 free throws to seal the game 61 57. The Bulldogs survived horrific free throw shooting all night, making only 10-23 from the line. In addition to Naxon’s 29, Amitai Scott helped out with 11 and Erez Krengel added 10. Junior Aviv Schor had a team-high 7 offensive rebounds while the other junior (Sam Pulitzer) took another 2 charges.
Yavneh (15-15) will play Friday in another Tier II Qualifier. If they win, they are in the Tier II semifinals Sunday. If not, they either play Saturday night for a chance to play in the Tier III semifinals or may receive a bye into those same Tier III semifinals. The most likely opponents for Yavneh Friday are the #9 seeded Boca Storm or the #7 seeded hosts from MTA, who were upset in the first round by Ohr Chaim of Toronto.