Yavneh defeated Texoma Christian of Sherman 52-34 Tuesday night. The win improves the Bulldogs record to 17-7.
Jordan Prescott exploded for 28 points on 12/18 shooting and Yavneh dominated a second straight game wire to wire. Playing to an almost identical score as Thursday’s victory (gave up 1 less point), the Bulldogs blitzed Texoma Christian 9-0 before most of their fans were even seated. Prescott scored those first nine points in less than three minutes and it looked as if he might outscore TC 100-0 from the outset. The home squad responded with a 6-2 run and got back in the game courtesy of Yavneh’s turnover bug which travels with the team on road trips. Seven giveaways kept the score 13-6 after one period of play. Much of the first half was simply the Bulldogs inability to get out of their own way preventing them from completely commanding the game. They did manage to end the half on a 10-2 run which feature a pair of Prescott triples in the final minute. 23-10 was Yavneh’s halftime lead with 13 turnovers. Of the 23 points, Prescott was responsible for 19 of them. TC would almost certainly focus on limiting that aspect in the second half. Streaking Post Itai Guttman had been quieted in the first 16 minutes courtesy of foul trouble. Sophomore Adam Steinbrecher provided some great relief with 3 steals and a blocked shot.
Guttman never could quite get on track but did start the second half with a much needed post basket. The game was broke wide open with the re-emergence of a key Bulldog player. Sophomore Adam Karnett drilled his first three pointer this season from the offensive side of the court for a 16 point advantage and moments later recorded two pinpoint assists. In all, Karnett notched 5 helpers including a seeing eye bullet to classmate Sam Kleinman for a finish with contact. It was a long overdue breakout game for one of the team’s most explosive players that could make a huge difference in the fate of Yavneh basketball 11-12 before this season is over. The Bulldogs just could not seem to put TC away until late in the fourth quarter. Every time they would build a 15-16 point lead, it would be answered with a 4 or 5 point run. Karnett’s fifth assist found Prescott at the basket for a three point play that sealed the game at 41-26. All available players saw action and no one played for more than three full quarters of game time. Prescott led all scorers with the 28 points and Guttman quietly chipped in 8. The four Bulldog post players combined for 17 rebounds which alone was three more than the entire Texoma Christian team collected. Also of note, Sam Kleinman looked for his shot in now a second straight game and ended up 2/3 for 5 points to help the cause.
Yavneh (17-7) will be back on the road Thursday for a rematch with Poetry Christian. As they integrate more weapons to play in complement with Jordan Prescott, this Bulldog team seems to get tougher and tougher to guard. The question remains can they limit the turnovers to a point that they can take advantage of those weapons in what is becoming a very effective halfcourt offense? That and the battle under the boards will likely determine every game the rest of the way.
Only time will tell!!!
The Kennel Report, now in its eighth season, is written by…
Zack Pollack M&M
TL-BW