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​SHARSHERET SHAALVIM TAKES TIER I CROWN; ASHREINU HOLY BAGELS WINS TIER II

3/25/2019

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by Ilan Katz
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The battle of the two most prolific coaches in the FM Home Loans IBL was taken by Sharsheret Shaalvim to win the Tier I trophy. Ashreinu Holy Bagels pushed the pace to win Tier II.
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Tier I

Semifinals
Sharsheret Shaalvim 46, Lobos 36
Less than a week after upsetting top-seeded TC, Sharsheret Shaalvim wasn’t ready to have their season end against the red-hot Lobos, who were coming off an upset victory of their own over Shraga in the quarterfinals.

Lobos got off to a good start, with big man Shuli Katz scoring often inside off of dump-offs and offensive rebounds. Star guard Elisha Rudman got into early foul trouble but stayed in the game, his team realizing they needed him on the floor for any chance of getting to the championship. But Sharsheret Shaalvim, led by Coach Jordan Landes, was well-aware of Rudman’s dilemma, and made it a point to attack. This also led to foul trouble for Katz, who fouled out with five minutes remaining.

Shaalvim’s Stevie Paul, as has so often been the case this season, took over down the stretch, using his adept inside-outside skill package to produce points on each crucial possession and ensure Shaalvim a berth in the Tier I championship.

A. Rafi & Tommy’s 56, Cross River Mooseheads 50
In what must have been the loudest environment of any game to this point in the season, the Mooseheads, the only of the top-4 seeds remaining, tried to get off to a hot start. But Coach Eli Benzaquen of AR&T drew up the perfect game plan to take the Mooseheads off their game.

AR&T came out in a 3-2 zone, and it made the Mooseheads uncomfortable all night. For a team that is led by arguably the steadiest point guard in the league, Shragi Peretz, the Mooseheads gave the ball away early and often. Nethanel Assayag, a long forward for AR&T, played the point of that 3-2, and had quite a few deflections which led to said turnovers. Assayag was on fire on the offensive end as well, and he and star guard Adam Motovich combined to build a comfortable lead for the entirety of the game.

Cross River’s Yosef Rudansky came off the bench and sparked a dormant offense by hitting four 3-pointers. But Adam Motovich would not let the Mooseheads back in the game, making nearly every free throw and finishing with over half of A. Rafi and Tommy’s points. His 30 points set up a final between the two most prolific coaches in the league.

FM Home Loans Championship
Sharsheret Shaalvim 54, A. Rafi & Tommy’s 44
In yet another rowdy and energetic environment, Sharsheret Shaalvim got off to a slow start in the championship game. The offense was slow to get going but led by Noah Pomerance’s excellent two-way play, Shaalvim was able to grind back from an early deficit en route to the Tier I title.

This was a battle of two teams led by prolific coaches: Jordan Landes for Sharsheret Shaalvim, Eli Benzaquen for A. Rafi & Tommy’s. Coach Landes drew up a defensive game plan focused on shutting down AR&T star Adam Motovich, and that task was placed largely on guard Noah Pomerance, who also performed on the offensive end. His efforts netted him the championship game MVP trophy.

Sharsheret Shaalvim started the season with a loss (ironically, to the AR&T team), then won the next four. They closed the regular season with a pair of losses, but Coach Landes was able to rally his team just in time for the postseason, earning a #8 seed in Tier I. Following a one-point win over Team Piaceczna’s in Round 1, Shaalvim pulled off a huge upset with a win over #1 TC in the quarterfinals. They then put away Lobos to earn a spot in the championship.

“We really came out with a championship mindset. I couldn’t be prouder of this team,” Coach Landes told me. “We had a motto throughout the playoffs - Attack and Be Dangerous! Despite obstacles this team never gave up and showed out. It’s been a pleasure playing great basketball in the State of Israel and representing Yeshivat Sha’alvim.”

A. Rafi & Tommy’s had an unforgettable season as well. After beating Sharsheret Shaalvim in the season’s opening game, they accumulated a 4-3 regular season record, earning them the #6 seed in Tier I. After dispatching Power Mishna in the playoff’s opening round, AR&T pulled off back-to-back upsets, defeating #3 Sy Savages in the quarters then #2 Cross River Mooseheads in the semis.

“We played well in the 1st half, we just couldn’t hold it up in the 2nd half,” AR&T Coach Benzaquen told me. “They really had a well-planned-out game, defensively they played excellent, and they ended up finishing stronger than we did.”

Tier II - Championship
Ashreinu Holy Bagels 64, Rap City 39
In a title game matchup between the top two seeds, the second-seeded Ashreinu Holy Bagels shocked top-seeded Rap City in what ended up being a blowout. Holy Bagels’ Jack Levine and Dovid Oratz pushed the tempo and kept running all night. A 15-point halftime lead ended in a 25-point championship victory.
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MARCH MADNESS: UPSET-MINDED AR&T, LOBOS CRASH FINAL FOUR

3/11/2019

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by Ilan Katz

Playoffs Week 2

Several upsets in Tier I brought the FM Home Loans IBL its own version of March Madness. Three of the Final Four teams are set, with the final one to be determined early this week. Rap City clinches a berth in the Tier II Championship.

Tier I

Sharsheret Shaalvim 44, Team Piaceczna’s 43
In a Tier I matchup, Team Piaceczna’s got off to a hot start, leading 23-14 at the halftime buzzer. Sharsheret Shaalvim couldn’t throw a grape in the ocean in the first half, but started heating up right out of the gate in the second. Piaceczna’s hung onto a one-point lead in the final seconds, as Shaalvim called timeout to advance to ball to halfcourt. Big man Stevie Paul caught the inbound pass and was fouled while shooting. Paul had ice in his veins, making both free throws to give Sharsheret Shaalvim the ultimate lead. A last-ditch effort from Team Piaceczna’s was halted, and Shaalvim was able to finish the comeback and avoid the upset. They will take on top-seeded TC in the final quarterfinal matchup. Noah Schiff led Team Piaceczna’s with 14 points in a losing effort.

Cross River Mooseheads 51, Gold Seals 41
The rematch from the regular season again went to the Cross River Mooseheads, albeit slightly less comfortably than the last meeting. Cross River Mooseheads used poised ball control and aggressiveness from Shragi Peretz to build a 29-22 halftime lead. The Gold Seals gave it their best shot but ultimately ran out of gas and couldn’t pull off a comeback. Gold Seals’ great season ends in the quarterfinals as the Mooseheads head to the quarters.

A. Rafi & Tommy’s 56, Sy Savages 42
This rematch went the other way, as A. Rafi & Tommy’s was able to avenge their loss to Sy Savages in the regular season and pull off the upset. The #6 seed in Tier I, AR&T got off to a surprising start against 3rd-seeded Savages, scoring the first 12 points of the game. Savages was able to get within five at halftime due to 16 first-half fouls from A. Rafi & Tommy’s and converting their free throws. But A. Rafi & Tommy’s was able to blow it open in the second half with more sound defense and smart offense. The young men from Midrash Shmuel will take on Cross River Mooseheads in a Tier I semifinal.

Lobos 58, Shraga 49
In another quarterfinal upset, the 5th-seeded Lobos carried momentum from last week’s blowout and got off to a very hot start against 4th-seeded Shraga, who earned a 1st round bye. Lobos built a double-digit first half lead, but Shraga was able to shake off the rust and tie the game at 28 headed to halftime. Lobos came out of the break aggressive, working shorthanded Shraga into foul trouble and taking advantage at the line to pull away. Max Leibowitz led Shraga with 20 points. Lobos will take on the winner of TC/Sharsheret Shaalvim in the other Tier I semifinal.

Tier II
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Rap City 28, Aliya Glory 26

In the first Tier II semi, top-seeded Rap City secured its spot in the championship game. It was a fierce defensive battle in which leads were constantly traded. In the final minute, Rap City was able to steal the lead and make crucial free throws to fend off a pesky Aliya Glory team. Roy Tal led Rap City with 12 of their 28 points to go with six rebounds. Rap City will face the winner of Ashreinu Holy Bagels/Falafel Ballers in the Tier II Championship.


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LOBOS, GOLD SEALS, AR&T ADVANCE TO TIER I QUARTERFINALS; TIER II SEMIS SET

3/3/2019

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by Ilan Katz

PLAYOFFS OPENING ROUND

Each of the top seeds won their Tier I matchup, with the Lobos looking like one of the league’s hottest teams. Meanwhile, Tier II featured an upset of sorts, and its semifinals are set. Free throws tended to play difference-maker for more than a couple of opening-round battles.

Tier I

FM Home Loans Game of the Week
Gold Seals 63, Pittsburgh Strong 56
These teams featured a contrast of styles, with Pittsburgh Strong relying on quickness and Gold Seals with a more balanced approach and an advantage on the interior. The teams traded leads for all of the first half, with Gold Seals claiming a 29-24 halftime lead, punctuated by a buzzer-beating jumper from Eli Gruenberg.

The teams continued to battle in the second half, with Pittsburgh Strong hanging onto a lead at the 12-minute mark. But down the stretch Gold Seals maintained a four point advantage and seemingly could not miss from the free throw line, ultimately coming up with a seven-point win.

While all six Gold Seals who logged minutes contributed in meaningful ways, they were led by the inside-outside duo of Yosef Hochner and Eli Gruenberg. Hochner was too much for Pittsburgh Strong on the interior, combining elite size with excellent footwork an touch to dominate in the post. Gruenberg wowed spectators with acrobatic finishes, flashy assists, and shooting from all levels to will his team to victory.

Gold Seals will meet Cross River Mooseheads for the second time in less than a month in a quarterfinal matchup. Pittsburgh Strong’s great season comes to an end.

A. Rafi & Tommy’s 52, Power Mishna 48
Following their heartbreaking loss in last week’s FM Home Loans Game of the Week, A. Rafi & Tommy’s had to settle for the #6 seed and face a red-hot Power Mishna squad who won each of their last two games in convincing fashion to earn a Tier I spot. Power Mishna got hot late, hitting a couple of outside shots to give them the lead inside of two minutes to play. But AR&T weren’t feeling so giving, as they took the lead play and wouldn’t relinquish it, forcing back-to-back turnovers and making free throws to seal the deal. AR&T will take on Sy Savages in a quarterfinal matchup reminiscent of their matchup earlier in the season, which the Savages took in a close one.

Lobos 69, Bad Boys 32
In a prominent display of how an emotional victory can propel a team to greater heights, Lobos, on the winning end of the potential Game of the Year last week over A. Rafi & Tommy’s, looked like a bona fide powerhouse in beating the Bad Boys. Ben Hamer had the first nine Lobos points, who didn’t allow a basket for the first 11 minutes of the game. The Lobos will look to continue this incredible momentum in next week’s quarterfinals matchup with Shraga. Shraga defeated Lobos in the season’s opening game, rather comfortably at that. But both of these teams have evolved. It should be an exciting matchup.

Tier II

Aliya Glory 42, Loketch Group 32
In what was a closer game than what the score indicated, Aliya Glory advances to the Tier II Semifinals. The game was tied 19-19 at the half, but Aliya Glory relied on interior scoring and made 13-14 free throws, while Loketch Group could not hit from the charity stripe. After starting the season 0-4, Aliya Glory has now won three of its past four games. While it was too little, too late for them to qualify for Tier I, they will be considered a legitimate threat to take down top-seeded Rap City, with a spot in the Tier II championship on the line

Falafel Ballers 51, Invaders 46
Sixth-seeded Invaders looked determined to pull off the upset, building what at one point was a 10-point lead, but Falafel Ballers wouldn’t let their season end on this day. Led by guard Emmanuel Dicker, the Ballers didn’t settle for bad shots, attacking the paint and finishing, or getting to the line and making free throws. Falafel Ballers will take on Ashreinu Holy Bagels in the Tier II semifinals. This will be a rematch of the tightly-contested matchup from the season’s opening weekend, which was won by Ashreinu Holy Bagels.
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    Authors

    Ilan Katz is a veteran author, sportscaster, analyst and organizational sports consultant. His first love in journalism is basketball, for which he has been doing play-by-play since his days as the lead broadcaster for the Yeshiva University Macabees, as well as the Red Saracheck Tournament. He anchors the FM Home Loans Israel Basketball League weekly broadcasts.

    Monty Wayland is a journalist whose work is syndicated by the GAN News Network, and featured in media including The Jerusalem Post and Ha’aretz. 

    His latest book, co-authored with Figmentov Uri Magination, is “Fourth-and-T’fachim: What the NFL and the Babylonian Talmud Teach Us About the Dynamic Tension Between Technocratic and Substantive Systems of Codification, and Life”.

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