The last undefeated team in the FM Home Loans IBL goes down, while the Reishit Studs win a thriller in a game with key playoff implications.
For an updated look at the playoff bracket, go to http://afisports.weebly.com/playoff-bracket.html
Chovat Piaseczna 60, Neveh Fighters 45
Chovat needed a win and they got it, but unfortunately for them, it was not enough to secure a Tier 1 bid. The young men from TVA, who were led by Josh Hyman’s 22 points, instead earn the top seed in Tier 2, with a shot at the AFI Cup. The Fighters took some time to adjust to the level of play of the FM Home Loans IBL, but they have gotten tougher as the season has gone on.
Imrei Binah 55, Neveh Fighters 44
Kobi Schuman (20 points) led Imrei Binah to a crucial win, as they would secure the final spot in Tier 1. They will look to upset top-seeded Symphony Care Network in their quarterfinal matchup. The Fighters, meanwhile, will also have upset on their mind, as they open Tier against the higher-ranked Hot Poppers. They were led by Eli Raider, who also had 20 points in this one.
DNA Lab Center 45, Probstein 123 Midrash Ballers 42
Naftali Wallach of DNA Lab Center led all scorers with 19 points, but even a hard-fought win wasn’t enough to earn a shot at the top trophy. His team finishes the regular season at 3-4 and gets a first-round bye in Tier 2. The Ballers were led by Nat Assayag (15 points) and Yisrael Probstein (13). They will face Sherlocks Hats in their Tier 2 opener.
SINAI Schools 59, Symphony Care Network 50
There will be no undefeated regular season, as SINAI Schools upsets previously 6-0 Symphony Care Network. Danny Weinberger and Gavi Domsky each scored in double-figures for SINAI Schools, who essentially clinched a Tier 1 berth with this win. Yisroel Wasser scored a game-high 23 points for SCN, who still earned the #1 overall seed due to a tiebreaker over Yeshiva League Pass. They will play Egert and Cohen in their quarterfinal Tier 1 match.
Reishit Studs 46, TC Gold Seals 45
The new kids on the block defeat the veteran-laden team in a game with Tier 1 seeding implications. The Studs (5-2), who were undermanned in this game, earn the 4-seed and will play Good Guys in the Tier 1 quarterfinal. The Gold Seals (4-3) fall to the 6-seed and will take on SINAI Schools in their QF matchup.
SINAI Schools 56, Sherlocks Hats 45
No letdown performance for SINAI Schools following their monumental win earlier in the week. Danny Weinberger (23 points) had his second great performance of the week, as SINAI Schools (5-2) closes out the regular season with its third straight win and earns the 3-seed in Tier. They will take on TC Gold Seals in the quarterfinals. Sherlocks Hats (2-5) will face Probstein 123 Midrash Ballers in the Tier 2 opening round.
Yeshiva League Pass 77, Hot Poppers 66
In a fast-paced, high-scoring shootout, the Hot Poppers were able to hang with the elite Yeshiva League Pass for much of the game, but simply didn’t have enough gas to pull off the upset. YLP (6-1) earns the 2nd overall seed and will face Imrei Binah in the Tier 1 quarterfinal, while Hot Poppers (2-5) take aim at the AFI Cup in Tier, opening against the Neveh Fighters.