If you were amongst the hundreds of people in attendance, you were treated to one of the best eighth grade championship games ever (not hyperbole). The TABC gym was packed way beyond capacity to watch the SAR Sting take on the RYNJ Jaguars in the YMSSA eighth grade championship. Exceptionally coached by Chaim Wiebke, the SAR Sting came out very strong aided by RYNJ’s poor shooting from the field. SAR controlled most of the game led by Manu Wiebke’s impressive game high 19 points to open up a nine point lead in the fourth quarter. The Sting also received a nice 11 point contribution from Nate Maryless. But if you have been watching the Jags this season and over the last three years, you just knew that they would not give up. Coach Eli Wolk, considered to be amongst the league’s best coaches, reminded his team that they were still in it.
Ezra Adams, who was ice cold all game, hit a baseline jumper to cut the lead to seven. Tani Stein, who was the Jags leading scorer with 11 points, hit a huge 3-pointer, to cut the lead to four. The Jags switched to a 1-3-1 defense aggressively trapping and forcing SAR turnovers. Shai Bickell led the defense during this stretch with Daniel Yablock stepping in and providing key minutes when Bickell fouled out. Adams then hit two free throws and a layup to tie the game at 30 with three minutes to go. Both teams went back and forth, unable to score, until Ami “The Hooch” Hochbaum got the ball on the high post with two minutes left and dropped a perfect pass to Motti Stein for a layup to put the Jags out in front by two points. Motti played a beastly game ending with 18 rebounds and Hooch was everywhere on defense and the boards as usual! Both teams struggled to score until Wiebke pulled up from deep three and buried an incredible shot to put the Sting up one with 16 seconds left.
Again, Coach Wolk kept his team’s focus on the task at hand, and told his team that, “16 seconds is an eternity.” The Jags ran a play for Adams who was fouled on the baseline with six seconds remaining, awarding him two free throws. Despite not having his best shooting night, Adams stepped up with the championship on the line and drilled both foul shots to put the Jags up one. He finished the game with 10 points (eight in the fourth quarter). Wiebke, the leading scorer of the game, tried to get a shot off after a timeout but could not do it.
The Sting deserve so much credit as they played a great game led by Wiebke and his coach/father. But you cannot say enough about the coaching job Wolk and assistant coach Kravitz did with these boys over the last year. This group has won two championships in three years with many calling them the best RYNJ team in history.
It was truly a magical night to watch these boys put their full hearts and souls on the floor and play basketball the way it is meant to be played. This was a night that people will be talking about for many years to come.
