(Ma’ayanot) The Ma’ayanot Rapids basketball team hosted Ramaz on Wednesday night, as both JV and varsity looked to start the season with a win. The JV team came out strong against Ramaz with a 16-5 run in the first, with freshman Elisheva Dresdner (9) knocking down two 3-pointers and a free throw. Sophomore captain Liana Wiesel led the way with her fastbreaks and layups putting up six points in the first half and a total of 10 for the game. Scoring came from everyone, from monster rebounder, sophomore captain Gavriela Adler knocking in a bucket, freshmen Yael Sharbat (6), Esti Schrieber (2), Leah Kirschenbaum (4) Shana Eizikovitz (8); and sophomores Molly Pearlman (7) and Ariella Levin (2). The Rapids won the game with a final score of 56-20.

The varsity Rapids started with focus and aggression, but Ramaz took the lead 8-6 to start. The Rapids tightened defensively and held Ramaz to just three points in the second quarter, while gaining offensively, making the score 14-11 at half time. During the third, the Rapids knocked in another 14 points to Ramaz’s eight with a couple of 3s from captains Ayelet Ostrin (15) and Shifra Prager (7). Captain Ayelet Eizikovitz, Sigal Ostrin (8) and Sara Mirwis (2) had several clutch rebounds and steals. Miri Hochberg, Yael Motechin, Baila Gopin (1), Michal Jutkowitz (4) and Liana Kahan kept the rhythm going with poise on the offensive end, and intensity on the defensive end. Ma’ayanot clinched the win with nine points in the fourth quarter, finishing with a 37-28 win.