DRS Survives the Heat: Double-OT, Buzzer-Beater Thriller Sends Wildcats to Tier II Final
- Tzvi Motechin
- Mar 31
- 4 min read
In what will surely go down as one of the wildest and most dramatic games in Sarachek Tournament history, the #3 DRS Wildcats battled past the red-hot #12 HA Montreal Heat in a double-overtime thriller, pulling out a 72–66 win to punch their ticket to the Tier II Championship.
This game featured momentum swings, key fouls, clutch buckets, and a miracle buzzer-beater, ending with DRS standing tall—but only after surviving wave after wave of Heat.
From the opening tip, it was clear both teams came ready for a battle. DRS struck first and managed to edge out a narrow 13–9 lead after the first quarter, controlling the pace early behind steady defense and composed playmaking. But Montreal, coming off back-to-back blowout wins, wasted no time settling in. The second quarter turned into the Ohayon and Alloul show, as Yaacov Ohayon imposed his will inside and Simon Alloul began to heat up from the perimeter. With DRS battling serious foul trouble, Montreal took advantage, surging ahead to take a 31–26 lead into halftime and shifting momentum squarely in their favor.
The HA Montreal Heat fought valiantly but it wasn’t enough in a double-overtime heartbreaker against the #3 DRS Wildcats (MacsLive)
The third quarter played out like a chess match. Both teams traded baskets and defensive stops, with physicality increasing and emotions beginning to rise. The Heat continued to ride the play of their stars, while DRS leaned on timely contributions to stay in it. When the dust settled at the end of the third, it was Montreal clinging to a slim 40–38 lead, setting up what would become a fourth quarter for the ages.
The final period opened with a statement from Joe Aaron, who knocked down a three-pointer to immediately give DRS back the lead. But the Heat had an answer every time. Ohayon scored right back. Bennett finished at the rim. Then Ohayon scored again. Each possession was met with a response. When Mike Solomon got an and-one and calmly knocked down the free throw to make it 46–44 DRS, Simon Alloul answered almost instantly, tying the game once again. The pace quickened, the defense tightened, and the crowd buzzed with tension.
Joe Aaron kept a sluggish #3 DRS Wildcats in the game long enough before they woke up and ousted the #12 HA Montreal Heat 72-66 in a double-overtime thriller. (MacsLive)
As both teams scrambled through a brief stretch of sloppy possessions, it was Aaron again who stepped up—this time drilling a deep three to push DRS ahead 49–46. But Montreal didn’t flinch. Alloul splashed in a three of his own to tie the game once more. A fast-break layup by Isaac Cons gave Montreal the edge, but Tzvi Tsaidi responded with a mid-range jumper to make it 51–51. It was pure chaos—every possession turning into a counterpunch.
As the clock wound down, the pressure only escalated. Aaron again came through, burying a corner three with just over a minute remaining to give DRS a 54–53 lead. But both teams were in foul trouble, and things only got more tense. Ohayon and Tsaidi both fouled out, leaving their teams without key weapons in the game’s biggest moments. Yitz Bennett had a chance to ice the game at the line but went just 1-for-4 in the final minute, giving DRS a 55–53 edge. That opened the door for Alloul, who stepped to the charity stripe with everything on the line and knocked down two clutch free throws to tie the game at 55–55.
DRS had a chance to win it, but the shot fell short. Overtime.
The first overtime was a battle of nerves. Zack Levy looked to be the hero early, scoring a quick go-ahead bucket to give DRS the lead. Moments later, he was called for a foul that appeared to be his fifth—yet after some scoreboard confusion, he stayed in the game. Just one possession later, he picked up another foul that officially ended his night. Adir Sacknovitz then stepped in and broke the tie with under a minute left, giving DRS a brief lead. But once again, the Heat had a response. Simon Alloul, cool under pressure, drove hard, drew contact, and converted the and-one to give Montreal a two-point edge with just 28 seconds remaining. Isaac Cons added one of two from the line, putting the Heat up three with six seconds left.
What happened next will live in Sarachek legend. With the game seemingly lost, DRS inbounded to Joe Aaron, who raced up the floor. Fading left, with three defenders converging and the clock nearly gone, Aaron let go of a deep, off-balance three from well beyond the arc. The shot hung in the air for what felt like forever—then ripped through the net as the buzzer sounded. Absolute madness. Tie game. 62–62. Second overtime.
Riding the emotional surge of Aaron’s miracle, DRS finally broke the game open. Aaron opened the second OT with back-to-back layups, giving DRS a four-point lead. He missed a tough look shortly after, but DRS secured the offensive rebound and reset the shot clock. Gabby Spodek went to the line and knocked down one of two, and another offensive board allowed DRS to continue burning clock. Aaron was fouled again, and split his free throws, giving DRS a five-point lead with under 30 seconds to go. That final make gave Aaron a game-best 30 points—a legendary performance capped by the shot that saved DRS’s season.
With no shot clock, DRS closed the door with poise and composure, walking away with a thrilling 72–66 double-overtime win. Montreal fought with heart and showed exactly why they were the story of Tier II, but in the end, it was Aaron’s miracle three and the Wildcats’ grit that sent them through.
DRS now moves on to the Tier II Championship, riding the emotional high of one of the greatest Sarachek games in recent memory. Montreal, despite the heartbreaking loss, exits the tournament with pride, having gone toe-to-toe with the Yeshiva League champions and will now play Ida Crown tomorrow in the Tier II third place game.
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