The atmosphere was electric at The Frisch School in Paramus, where the undefeated 8-0 Yeshivat Noam Knights—donning their signature white jerseys with orange lettering—looked to complete a perfect season. Their opponents, the Ramaz Rams, clad in blue with white and yellow trim, had made the journey across the Hudson determined to avenge their March 6 loss to the Knights.
After a warm welcome and introduction from both Rabbi Chaim Haglers—Rabbi Hagler of Yeshivat Noam (Head of School) and Rabbi Hagler of Ramaz (Assistant Head of Middle School)—the game was ready to begin.
Noam’s Noah Chesner opened up the scoring with a smooth 15-foot baseline jumper, setting the tone early. However, Ramaz came out firing, knocking down two three-pointers and riding dominant post play from Jojo Braka, who scored six quick points. A deep three from Isaiah Goldstein added to the Rams’ momentum, giving them a 12-8 lead midway through the second quarter.
Down 12-8, the game’s momentum shifted dramatically. Ezra Small stepped up and took a crucial charge on a fast break from Braka, swinging energy and confidence in Noam’s favor—a moment the Knights would capitalize on and never relinquish.
Ignited by that play, the Knights closed the half on a decisive 9-0 run to take a 24-16 lead into the break. The surge was led by Rael Gervis, the Knights’ floor general, who knocked down a clutch three-pointer and followed it with a driving layup through traffic just before the buzzer. Gervis’s leadership on both ends energized the team during the pivotal stretch.
Key to this turnaround was a tactical shift: the Knights abandoned their usual zone defense in favor of an aggressive halfcourt trap. The change proved highly effective, forcing Ramaz into rushed shots and several costly turnovers. This defensive pressure helped Noam build a commanding 20-point lead in the fourth quarter.
Noam’s Yair Stern was in takeover mode on both ends of the court. He finished with a game-high 23 points, showcasing his relentless energy and elite finishing ability.
Another cornerstone of the Knights’ success was their stifling defense. Elisha Stein played a critical role, limiting the league’s tallest player and Ramaz’s leading scorer to just 12 points—and only one field goal in the second half. While Stein locked down the paint’s biggest threat, the Katz brothers and Adam Milgrom anchored the interior defense, helping neutralize the rest of the Rams’ offense.
As a team, the Knights extended their league-best defensive reputation by holding Ramaz to a season-low 32 points. In the end, the Knights sealed their undefeated season with a dominant 49-32 victory, capping off a remarkable run marked by resilience, teamwork and defensive tenacity.
A tremendous yasher koach to both teams, schools and coaches—Coach Scott, Coach Niess and Coach Moer—for their dedication and sportsmanship.
Thank you to The Frisch School for hosting this incredible game, and to the YMSSA team—Dovey Forman, Dov Elefant and Abie Cohen—for their flawless organization and support.
