Yavneh defeated Pantego Christian Academy 85-41 Thursday night. The win improves the Bulldogs record to 12-5.
A refreshed Yavneh team was happy to be back in the Central time zone Thursday as they annihilated TAPPS 4A Pantego Christian by forcing 33 turnovers and FeINALLY out-shooting an opponent from beyond the arc. These Bulldogs were quick, full of energy, and on target all night long in a more relieving than shocking turnaround from a three-game stretch in Baltimore that is soon to feel like ancient history. For the fourth time this season, Yavneh produced video game-like first quarter numbers in shocking an opponent to its core. Jonah Eber and Ofek Reef picked up where they left off as a one-two combo that proved to be a nightmare for yet another opponent to deal with. Their steals in the opening minutes opened the floodgates before Pantego knew what hit them. The game was tied at 2-2 before Eber found Reef in transition, sparking 13 straight Bulldog points. Reef collected 5 steals early in this game netting a pair of layups to go along with his massive tip follow. Eber was the beneficiary of another steal, including a nice finish to extend the lead to 12-2. Tyler C Winton seemed to catch heat from the existing flames of the life-size menorah sitting less than 8 feet off the court. Winton connected on a pair of free throws, scored off a great Reef dish, and then stole a basketball while streaking down the court for a two-hand monster AND-ONE finish. McBuckets was on his game, playing with an energy that was just different than the majority of the first 16 games. Zachary Bernstein BN set up Winton for as rhythm a trifecta as is humanly possible and an 18-4 lead. Pantego was turning the ball over nearly every trip down the court as Eber continued to cash in with a majestic transition finish and an assist for Mason Schwaber’s first basket. The two hooked up again on a great out-of-bounds feed from Eber to Schwaber for a 26-7 advantage. Freshman Ben Rael picked off a pass and started the highlight of highlights in this game, a one-handed missile throw down by Reef accomplished only after levitating in mid-air for half an eternity. The Senior sensation had so much fun that he got a steal moments later and thundered another punishing dunk through the East goal in the SRC. In all, a 30-7 first period for Yavneh came courtesy of sizzling 72% shooting, 13 forced turnovers, and 10 points each from Winton/Reef. Freshman Noah Ohayon had an OH-hayon moment for the ages early in the second period when his bank-shot free throw ignited a string of 7 points in 42 seconds. The rookie notched field goals from the baseline as well as each side of the lane off assists from Zander Feinstein, Reef, and Reef once again in a whirlwind minute of action. Winton, saddled for a while with some early foul trouble, popped off the bench for a second smooth triple and a scorching bounce pass to Eber for a strong lefty finish. The lead just kept on growing, now at 42-19. Senior Nachi Zucker started his very active game with one final first half steal that set up Eber with the basket that secured 46 points. The 46-25 halftime score was primarily based on 18 forced turnovers and double-digit points from Winton, Reef, and Eber. In fact, before the night was over, Schwaber would join that cast of characters for four starters in double-figures.
The lead would reach 30 points early in the second half as TW3 made it 3/3 from three off an Eber creative pass. This was such a gargantuan development off the 1/51 stretch that the Bulldogs were mired in because the outside shooting was starting to open up the brilliant inside game for this team even more than usual. That formula is a glimpse into how unstoppable this team could be with a balance that no opponent can handle. Reef did not have to play much but when he did Pantego had no answer. A finish with contact and a dime to Zucker for a mid-range connection had this team hitting on all cylinders. Schwaber got easy opportunities at the basket that he converted nearly all of (6/7 overall) but he did everything but mop the floors on this night. A wing triple that brought rain connected on one possession and on the next he mentored protégé Elisha Klein on the art of stepping up defensively to be in a position to take a charge. While the teaching never ceased in this clinic of a basketball game, Ben Rael used a slick baseline flip shot to close out the third period 70-36. Pantego was up to 29 turnovers and this game was simply a showcase. As he glided to the rim for a great finish, Rael continued to play with confidence in a final stanza that had a significant amount of action despite a clock running faster than any Pantego football star. Reece Parker and Zach Bernstein combined for 8 assists, most down the stretch of this game. Elisha Klein floated a shot in and followed up his dramatic assist to Zander Feinstein in Baltimore with another for an encore triple that made birds sing sweet sounds in multiple countries simultaneously. Feinstein also avenged his dangerous brush with the basketball off his head on a near steal in Baltimore with a seemingly incidental missile of a similar basketball off the referee’s cranium. Ohayon completed his career-high and nearly perfect 9 points on 4/4 night with a beast-mode offensive rebound put back late in the final period. Zucker put on a show late with 6 points but much credit goes to the starting unit for setting the tone. Ofek Reef scored 17 points and notched 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 6 steals on 8/11 field goals. Tyler Winton followed with 16 point including a trio of triples. Mason Schwaber added 14 points on 6/7 shooting to go along with 7 rebounds, and found himself on the right side of the eraser this game with 6 blocked shots. Jonah Eber also ended up in double-figures with 12 points and 6 assists.
Yavneh (12-5) could not have asked for a better performance in their welcome home get well game. And now, with just one 2018 tune-up game remaining before they start district play, the Bulldogs will welcome a second straight TAPPS 4A opponent. Familiar playoff foe from back in the day last year when they were a powerhouse in 3A, Trinity Christian Willow Park comes to the SRC Monday looking for double-revenge. The Eagles have the Red-and-Black to blame for denying them not one but two trips to the State Final 4 the last two seasons. While they ran for the hills away from Yavneh beginning this season, the final warm-up non-district game should be a good test for both teams.
The Kennel Report, now in its 15th season, is written by…
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