Yavneh defeated Park Meadows Academy 63-44 Thursday night. The win improves the Bulldogs record to 3-2.
In their first game at home this season, Yavneh led from the opening tip to the final buzzer for the second straight game en route to a comfortable 19 point victory. Unlike all four games in Memphis, the Bulldogs were ready from the outset. Not having scored on any of its opening possessions, that trend ended Thursday as Junior David Rudomin swiped a lazy pass for a streaking layup on the game’s very first series. Classmate Sam Kleinman followed with a similar feat and the score was 4-0 before anyone could blink. The pace was quick and Park Meadows had no idea what hit them. The opening stanza belonged to David Rudomin as he put an inconsistent Bluff City performance well behind him with 7 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals, and an assist. Park Meadows was not just turning the ball over but also giving up transition baskets on nearly every one of them. In fact, Yavneh shot 62% in the first period to go along with a +8 rebounding advantage. After posting a 16-4 opening eight minutes, the Bulldogs got a slick baseline rumble from Junior Itai Guttman to start the second quarter. With the score 18-4, both teams proceeded to not score on any of the next seven offensive trips for either team. This offensive stagnation left Yavneh with just 3 points for the second period with less than two minutes remaining before halftime. First-year Junior Adam Schor picked a great time to completely take over the game. With a 19-11 lead, Junior Adam Steinbrecher found Schor at the basket. Schor completed the 6-0 run to end the half with a nice tip-in and a great find of Sophomore Grant Prengler for a 25-11 edge. The Bulldog shooting was down to 39% but they held a massive 21-8 rebounding lead thanks to 6 from Itai Guttman.
With designs on putting the game away, Yavneh came out blazing to start the second half. Kleinman found Senior Josh Lynn for two early triples and the pace once again quickened. Rudomin got free on an inbounds play and Junior Adam Karnett followed with a steal that turned into his own three-point play. As Rudomin drilled a long range three ball, the run was 22-6 since the Schor outburst late in the first half and a game-high 41-17 margin. The second half was an offensive rebounding showcase for both teams as Andy Rhoades and Adam Schor vacuumed second chance after second chance. Schor was able to turn his into some easy points and three o-rebounds from not so towering Jason Epstein was almost as impressive as Rhoades’ (Park Meadows) 8 second chances. The Bulldogs became complacent in the final period and it almost cost them. Park Meadows was able to stage a 23-12 outburst due to the offensive rebounds and a massive outbreak of Yavneh turnovers. With the lead trimmed to 53-40 and 3:12 remaining, Prengler found Ori Guttman for a pure baseline jumper. A couple of possessions later, Guttman followed his jump shot up with a drive all the way to the basket for a 59-40 lead. The Park Meadows comeback had been thwarted and the Bulldogs were able to close the game out. Adams Karnett and Schor led the team with 13 points apiece followed by David Rudomin with 12. Schor barely missed out on a double-double with 9 rebounds, and both he and fellow Post Itai Guttman recorded 4 blocks each. Also of note, Sam Kleinman notched 6 assists and 4 steals.
Yavneh (3-2) will have a full week to clean up the turnovers and defensive rebounding before they welcome Austin Hill Country next Thursday evening. Hill Country made a deep run through the TAPPS playoffs a year ago and should be ready to continue an in-state rivalry off a one-year hiatus. The Bulldogs will attempt to win three wire to wire games in a row, which would be impressive. The team has not trailed since losing to Boca Raton’s Weinbaum Yeshiva Saturday night.
The Kennel Report, now in its ninth season, is written by…
Zack Pollack M&M
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