This week, the SAR Varsity Boys Basketball team traveled all the way to Brooklyn, NY to take on the HAFTR Hawks in the second round of the MDY tournament. Going into the game, nothing but determination and heart were in the eyes of the Sting, as they were hoping to upset the defending league champs. The opponent, being the defending powerhouse they were, assumed the game would be nothing but a joke, although the Sting had another idea in mind. Right from the tip- off, SAR turned over the ball. Although, they made a quick mistake, the Sting shook it off and prepared for one of the toughest defensive matchups they would face all year.

Abie Perlow is coming off a spectacular year for the Hawks, winning the league championship along with being named a first team All-American. While Perlow was expected to be quite the problem for the Sting, spectacular defense by starting forward Eitan Hain and center Rafi Kubersky helped minimize his production. While SAR had a commanding lead for the first three quarters, the Hawks displayed a final effort in order to form a comeback during the fourth quarter.

After shooting some desperation 3’s, and receiving an “And-1,” the Hawks cut SAR’s lead down to only five points. Luckily, moments later, Hawks point guard Brian Nathan received a costly foul, allowing the Sting to extend their lead to seven. The Hawks did not give in, and cut the lead back to five. To the shock of the crowd, seconds later, Perlow received a technical foul, which allowed SAR to go back up seven. From there, the Sting controlled the pace for the rest of the game, and upset the HAFTR Hawks 54-43. Led by Smith’s 18 and Hain’s 16, the Sting will now look to take on YDE in the semi- final of the MDY tournament.

Credit: SAR Sting Sports Update