This past Sunday morning, hundreds of fans poured into TABC to watch the YMSSA 7/8 girls championship game. The game featured two of the top teams from the regular season in the league, the Yeshivat Noam Knights (10-0) and the SAR Academy Sting (9-1). This was the third year in a row that these two teams were meeting in the championship game. In fact, the eighth grade girls from Noam had lost all five times they faced SAR, prior to this year.
In mid-December, these two teams had met in what would be a preview of this championship game, with the Noam Knights beating SAR by 10. While that game did not seem that close, the Noam team knew not to take anything for granted. In preparation for a playoff run, the Noam team looked for other opportunities to be challenged and played in a local tournament to strengthen its edge. Coach Ariela Herman also scheduled extra practices to work on every detail, to be ready for the championship game.
At tip-off, there was a sense of anticipation from all in attendance, and from the many more watching around the globe on the livestream feed. Everyone was eager to see who would attack first, as fans of both teams were decked out in their school colors. SAR won the opening tip and the battle began. Each team kept trying to change things up to find the advantage. SAR came out in a box and one defense on the Noam point guard, in an effort to force the ball out of her hands, while Noam sat back in its zone defense to keep the middle closed and control the boards. The teams traded baskets in the first quarter and whether it was the defense, or just nerves, both teams committed several turnovers. At the end of the first quarter, the score was tied at four points apiece.
The second quarter saw a bit more scoring action, as Noam connected on a few outside shots and SAR found scoring contributions from their bench. While both teams played very aggressive defense, the referees tried to keep things clean, which led to some foul trouble for both teams. Unfortunately, both of the teams struggled from the free throw line and the score at the half was 12-8 in favor of Yeshivat Noam.
At halftime, both teams headed to the locker room to talk through what adjustments needed to be made. As the teams came out for the second half, the referees tried to contain the crowd and keep everyone safe alongside the court. For Yeshivat Noam, the second half started off the same as the second quarter, as they connected on a couple of outside shots. The shooting of the Noam team forced SAR to change up their defense, as they switched to man to man. The change in defense opened up the middle of the lane and enabled the Noam girls to drive to the basket for a couple of layups and get to the free throw line as well. As Noam connected on a few free throws, the lead grew to 11 points and at the end of the third quarter the score was 25-14 in favor of Noam.
However, SAR was not going to go away so easily. In the fourth quarter, SAR came out with a full court defense, had several steals and nailed a couple of jumpers to close the lead. As the Noam team started to deal with foul trouble (several of the team members had four fouls), the front court was having a harder time controlling the boards, as they were afraid of picking up their fifth foul. SAR continued to battle as they had done all game, but the Noam team was too strong and held onto the lead. With a little more than a minute to go in the game, the coach of SAR emptied his bench, signaling defeat, and Coach Herman soon followed. The Noam team sank one last free throw to make the final score 36-24. As the final seconds ticked off, the players and fans of the Yeshivat Noam Knights started to celebrate as the girls capped an unbelievable, undefeated season to bring home the championship trophy.
Congratulations to the entire team: Daniella Rothschild, Carly Sheinfeld, Yakira Keiser, Gabriella Forman, Ariella Vogel, Shira Adler, Rivki Piontnica, Arianna Chesner, Jordana Marks, Abigail Lerer, Tobi Herman, Hannah Friedman and Maya Krause, and, of course, Coach Ariela Herman. Special shout out to the parents, school administration and staff for coming to cheer them on at all of their games.
