Cougars pounce into first place with statement victory over TABC JV.

The Frisch Cougars and TABC Storm faced off on Monday night, December 23 in Yeshivat Frisch. With both teams entering at 6-1 on the season, this game would have huge ramifications on which team would take the top spot in the Western Conference standings for JV heading into the playoffs. This matchup had been circled on calendars since before the season began, and there was a lot of hype leading into tip-off.

Frisch started strong, jumping out to an 11-3 lead early in the game. EJ Heumann was key in the opening minutes, scoring five of his seven points and forcing TABC to call an early timeout to regroup.

The Cougars kept up the pressure and controlled the game from there. From the get-go, freshman Joseph Munoz put on a bully-ball clinic, completely dominating in the paint and on the boards, and adding to Frisch’s growing lead. The Cougars went into the locker room up 37-9 in a completely dominant first half performance. Starting the third quarter by scoring the first four points brought the extended Frisch run to a remarkable 37-6 over the span of 16 minutes.

One of the game’s defining moments came at the end of the third quarter, when Judah Suss nailed a step-back 3-pointer at the buzzer, putting Frisch up 57-20. The shot electrified the crowd and set a commanding tone for the rest of the game, showing that Frisch wasn’t just in control—they were making a statement.

Leading the charge for the Cougars was Jacob Gervis, whose unselfish play and leadership set the foundation for Frisch’s success. From the opening tip, Gervis focused on getting his teammates involved, finding open players for easy baskets and keeping the offense running smoothly. His ability to set up plays and stay calm under pressure made him a key part of the team’s big win.

By the time the fourth quarter came around, Frisch was able to empty the bench, letting their reserves close out the game. The freshman squad, led by “Durant,” managed the clock and maintained the team’s dominance, sealing the victory. In the end, Frisch came away with a 63-38 victory, improving to 7-1 and taking first place in the Western Conference. For TABC, this is a game they’ll want to learn from and put in their rear view mirror.

These two teams will once again face off on January 5, at noon in Teaneck in a much-anticipated rematch. A Frisch win in that matchup would lock up the 1-seed, while a TABC win would knot the two foes at 7-2 with one game left to play for each.