Playing their second game in under 14 hours, the #10 Magen David Warriors faced off against the #7 North Shore Lions—another Yeshiva League semi finalist eager to prove they belonged among the tournament’s elite. The looming question: Would Magen David’s legs hold up? After a grueling game just hours earlier, fatigue was expected to take its toll. But the Warriors had other plans. Instead of wilting, they rose to the occasion, grinding out a high-stakes, hard-fought 46-44 victory to punch their ticket to the Tier I Quarterfinals.
From the opening tip, both teams struggled to find their rhythm, their nerves evident in missed shots and unforced errors. The game remained scoreless until the 6:45 mark, when North Shore’s relentless defense forced a turnover, leading to a fast-break bucket from Charlie Sassoon to finally break the ice. Neither team could settle into an offensive flow, as turnovers, errant shots, and missed free throws plagued the opening minutes. At the 5:00 mark, North Shore held a 7-1 lead, as Magen David’s offense remained stuck in neutral. Captain Josh Chabbott eventually provided the spark his team desperately needed, sinking a basket at the 2:54 mark to finally give the Warriors a needed bucket. The opening quarter ended in a defensive slugfest, with both squads failing to generate offense. At the buzzer, the Lions held a narrow 9-5 advantage, with free throws accounting for much of the scoring.
Determined to change the narrative, Chabbott wasted no time igniting the second quarter, slicing through the defense for a crafty reverse layup just 25 seconds in. His energy proved contagious—Magen David rattled off a quiet but effective 6-0 run, suddenly seizing an 11-9 lead.
North Shore quickly adjusted, exploiting gaps in the Warriors’ 2-3 zone, feeding the high post to tie the game once again. This shift sparked a momentum swing in the Lions’ favor, forcing Magen David’s Coach Spike to call a timeout in an effort to stop the bleeding. Coming out of the break, the Warriors struck back. Though both teams continued to battle shooting woes, Magen David clawed their way to a four-point lead with just under 90 seconds to play in the half, prompting North Shore to call a timeout of their own. The adjustment paid off—the Lions responded with two quick baskets, including a beautifully executed shot from Andrew Kohanim, to even the score at 19-19 heading into halftime.
A slight scoreboard delay before the third quarter added to the tension, leaving both teams restless and eager to resume battle. Once play resumed, Magen David came out with three consecutive missed three-pointers which kept them from regaining the lead.
Meanwhile, North Shore matched their struggles with three straight turnovers. The ice finally broke when Solly Hara battled for a crucial offensive rebound, leading to a second-chance bucket that pushed Magen David ahead. The back-and-forth battle intensified as the Lions responded with a deep Sassoon three-pointer, giving North Shore a five-point lead and igniting their fans. As the clock ticked down, Phillip Sherr delivered in the clutch, driving through traffic for a tough layup just before the third-quarter buzzer to trim the deficit to three.
Solly Hara and the #10 seed MDY Warriors rallied to score a 46-44 upset win over the #7 Northshore Lions, their second in 14 hours, and advance to the Tier I quarterfinals. (Photo Credit: MacsLive)
Sensing the urgency, Magen David unleashed a full-court press to start the final period—a move that rattled North Shore immediately. The Lions struggled to break the pressure, leading to a quick Warriors basket and forcing North Shore into a desperate timeout. For the first time all night, Magen David had full control. With excellent offensive execution, they extended their lead to seven points, applying relentless pressure on both ends of the floor. Just when it seemed like the Warriors were pulling away, Phil Cohen drilled a massive three-pointer, halting their momentum and cutting the lead to 39-35 with just 3:15 remaining. North Shore called another timeout, hoping to regroup. Magen David, however, remained poised. Coming out of the huddle, they executed flawlessly, nailing a quick jumper to restore their six-point cushion. North Shore, meanwhile, couldn’t find their rhythm, missing crucial shots as the Warriors’ defense tightened. With under a minute to play, Magen David clung to a six-point advantage, needing only one more defensive stop to seal the game.
Then—chaos. With 15 seconds left, Sassoon was fouled on a three-point attempt, sending him to the line with a chance to make it a one-possession game. Under intense pressure, he buried all three free throws, cutting the deficit to three and setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
But the Lions fouled the wrong player.
With 7 seconds left, Sherr stepped to the line and calmly sank a clutch free throw, extending the lead to four and effectively putting the game out of reach. As the final buzzer echoed through the gym, Magen David had done it. They had outlasted North Shore in a gritty, hard-fought war, emerging with a 46-44 victory and earning their spot in the Tier I quarterfinals.
For Magen David, the journey continues tomorrow, where they will look to ride this momentum deeper into the tournament. For North Shore, they will have a bye into Tier II as they will face the winner of Katz/Fuchs on Saturday in a Tier II Quarterfinal at TABC.
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