One week after Moriah’s stunning loss to Noam, 43-40, the Moriah 7b basketball team bounced back strongly in overtime getting the win against Yavneh, 48-46.
As the game started, both teams played great defensively, always keeping a win within reach. Although Moriah had some bad luck, including the game clock shutting off and a bizarre technical foul called on star point guard Rafi Lewis (7), it was still able to maintain a 9-8 lead.
During the 2nd quarter, Moriah capitalized on its lead as Lewis and Isaac Horowitz took control of the transition game. However, Max Zakheim, arguably the league’s best player, brought Yavneh back into the game with his phenomenal step-backs and amazing drives toward the hoop. Zakheim lead Yavneh with 22 points, followed by Akiva Feit and Danny Weinberger, each with 8. Additionally, Gaby Katz led Moriah with 19 points along with Horowitz’s 12. When the half ended, Moriah was in the lead 22-17.
In the 2nd half, Feit displayed his amazing shooting, as he knocked down countless clutch jumpshots. With five minutes to go in the 4th, Moriah’s Horowitz was suddenly benched. Feit stepped in by nailing a far basket from 3-point range giving Yavneh a 2-point lead, 36-34, with just four minutes left in the 4th quarter.
But then things started to heat up. Ethan Schechter (8) knocked down a jump shot to bring Moriah back up, though still down by 2. The next play, Zakheim hustled his heart out, pickpocketing Lewis and finishing with a layup. Moriah was now down by 4 with two minutes left to play. Fortunately, Horowitz fought his way to the basket and was able to score a layup, again putting Moriah down by 2. With 13 seconds left, Moriah got the ball. Adding another highlight to his timeline, Gaby Katz got the rebound and quickly put the shot back up tying the game at 42.
Schechter opened up the three-minute overtime by swishing a clutch jump shot. In order to stop Moriah from running out the clock, Yavneh was forced to foul, sending Horowitz to the free throw line. Horowitz split the free throws, putting Moriah up by 3. Immediately, Zakheim stole the ball and finished on a fast break layup, putting his team down 1. A couple of possessions later, Schechter sealed the win for Moriah by hitting both free throws, making the final score 48-46.
By Zach Horowitz
