(Ma’ayanot Sports) Due to the Covid outbreak, the 2020 championship game between the Rapids and Sting was cancelled, and so on Monday night the two varsity teams met for the first time this season with high expectations. With home fans back in the stands, the gym was electrified with energy by both teams. With the lead changing back and forth numerous times throughout the game, the players from both schools played with extreme intensity and focus. While Ma’ayanot led after the first quarter, SAR came back and closed out the first half with a 20-18 lead. In the second half, the scoring picked up and once again there were several lead changes. With the all junior-push of Sara Motechin’s four points, Aliza Poloner’s five points, and point guard Hannah Bromberg’s five rebounds and five assists, the Rapids started to pull away slightly in the fourth quarter. Late in the game, with the Rapids up by one, senior captain Leah Weiss, who incredibly led the team in scoring with 27 points overall including a 3-pointer, hit two important free throws to gain a three-point advantage. Senior captain Tali Klein, who fought through an injury sustained in the first half, once again showed her amazing defensive skills with five assists and three blocks, and brought down an offensive rebound which sealed the win for the Rapids with less than 15 seconds left in the game. After a hard-fought battle, the Rapids edged a strong Sting team, 41-38. “Having the fans back in the gym to cheer on the team really helped the players get energized and bring some intensity to their game”, noted Ma’ayanot Athletic Director Jennifer Sanders.
In the second game of the double header, the JV team started out fast with over a 10-point lead by the end of the first quarter. Sophomore captain Shifra Prager had six points along with sophomore captain Ayelet Eizikowitz who scored five. The Ostrin twins had a big scoring night with 11 points by Ayelet and seven from Sigal. Sophomore Miri Hochberg and freshmen Baila Gopin, Tali Zelkowitz and Atara Friedman each contributed with four points, with Hanna Milner scoring a bucket. Additionally, the team had outstanding ball handling and defense from sophomores Sara Mirwis, Ella Gerzberg, Esther Friedlander, Yakira Mermelstein and Jordana Bruschansky. The JV team ended the night with a win over SAR to complete the double header.
The Ma’ayanot JV and varsity teams will take on HAFTR on November 22.
