The TABC JV basketball and hockey teams both came away with victories on Motzei Shabbat against the MTA Lions. Both schools’ basketball teams came into the night undefeated, so it figured to be a great matchup between two of the conference’s strongest teams. The Lions came out with a lot of energy, and quickly built an early lead. They stayed ahead for most of the first half, but great playing from sophomore starters Alex Ostrin and Avi Proctor, as well as strong defending from sophomore center Eli Rifkind off the bench helped keep the game close, and the Storm ended the half down five. In the second half, TABC stepped up and went on a run which gave them the lead. Sophomore Joe Baron and freshmen Yehuda Mirwis and Ari Kaminetsky also got in the game and played hard, helping their team stay in the game. TABC didn’t hold onto their lead for long, however, as strong playing from MTA helped them regain the upper hand. Towards the end of the third quarter with TABC down five, MTA nearly caught a break, after shooting and technical fouls were called against starting center Amichai Citron. TABC lucked out, though, as MTA missed all four of their free throws. In the fourth quarter, TABC found themselves down by two points, when a clutch three by sophomore Jonathan Haberman gave the Storm a one point lead. This time, TABC was able to hold on, and thanks to great free throw shooting by Ostrin, Proctor and freshman point guard Yoni Mann, they came out with the win. This was a huge victory for TABC, who continue their season with a busy week that includes a game at HANC as well as the Rubinstein Memorial Tournament.
The hockey team had a much easier matchup, as the undefeated Storm faced off against the 2-2 Lions. The fact that many of the TABC players had come straight from an amazing shabbaton in Riverdale didn’t seem to slow them down, as they scored early, with two goals in the first period. The first came on a power play, with a great shot by sophomore Akiva Hain, and the second came from sophomore Eli Spinowitz. TABC couldn’t find the net in the second period, but thanks to great defending and strong goaltending from freshman Charles Gibber, who recorded his first ever shutout for the Storm, they were able to stay ahead. It was a fun game for TABC, and everybody got a chance to play. In the third period, TABC scored another goal, with a great play from sophomore Elie Schiff. The Storm finished the night with another goal by Spinowitz, and reached another great victory. The hockey team continues their season with a rematch against SAR, at home on Sunday, December 11.
Both teams remain undefeated and sit at the top of their respective conferences, and the young teams give TABC a bright future for success in their leagues.
By Eli Rifkind
