On March 15, the two undefeated (12-0) teams—Moriah and SAR—descended upon the TABC gym in Teaneck to play in the 8^th grade YMSSA Championship basketball game. Heading into the game, Judah Oppenheimer and his SAR squad were the acknowledged underdogs because they were going up against Max Mayerhoff and one of the deadliest starting fives that a Moriah 8^th grade team had ever produced.

After Moriah’s 6-foot center, Joey Strobel, won the tip-off, Mayerhoff and his phenomenal court vision took control. Mayerhoff, arguably the league’s best player, and his shooting guard, Benny Matheson, gave Moriah a strong start when they each nailed a jumpshot. When it was 6-0, SAR found a way to fire back and compete. Oppenheimer started their run with a quick floater followed by two long jumpshots from Nat Waxman. The quarter ended with SAR trailing 12-9.

Moriah opened up the 2^nd quarter with beautiful chemistry between Matheson and Jake Fromen, as Matheson assisted Fromen down low several times. SAR answered back with an astonishing drive and finish by Oren Neuworth. As the clock was winding down, Drew Greenbaum scored a runner to put SAR down 2. Going into halftime, Moriah led 27-25. Their hot hands were Strobel with 8 and Fromen with 7. SAR’s hot hands were Greenbaum with 10 and Waxman with 8.

SAR’s Coby Kranz opened up the 2^nd half with a basket. However, Strobel answered back and kept on answering back as he dominated the paint. SAR’s top three, Oppenheimer, Greenbaum, and Waxman were held quiet that quarter, as their team was only able to put 6 points on the board. As the 3^rd quarter’s final buzzer sounded, Moriah was ahead, 41-31.

SAR came out strong in the beginning of the 4^th quarter. But in the middle of the quarter, Fromen’s fast break layups and Mayerhoff’s unbelievable defense quelled the SAR force and helped seal the win. Although the final score doesn’t seem very close at 55-32, those who watched the game know that it was really like a 10-point deficit. Overall, SAR put up a great fight, as they were led by Greenbaum’s 15 points and Waxman’s 8 points.

Moriah’s Strobel’s 20 points and 12 rebounds and Fromen’s 15 points and 15 rebounds were a huge factor in bringing home the trophy. Now, Moriah hopes to take home a second trophy this week when their 7B team takes on Noam in the championship game this coming Thursday at The Frisch School.

By Zach Horowitz