SARACHEK PANEL GAME PREDICTIONS: SUNDAY
- MacsLive Staff
- Mar 30
- 11 min read
Semifinal Sunday. Where legends are made.
Standings:
Yosef Silver (YS): 19-2
Akiva Poppers (AP): 17-4
Ari Schopf (AS): 17-4
Oren Glickman (OG): 15-4
Marvin Azrak (MA): 16-5
Tier I
YS: TABC has maybe been the most impressive team in the tournament with two blowout wins. YULA on the other hand, couldn’t pull away from Mesivta before needing overtime to down Hillel. This is set to be a good one as the two highest seeds remaining face-off in a finals-caliber showdown. I think this game will come down to whether YULA can contain Eyal Kinderlehrer inside. Eyal has feasted on smaller opponents thus far including a monster 30-25 game on Friday vs SAR. However, I think YULA has the ability to (relatively) contain the dominant big. Elisha Feldman’s size and Jaden Azeroul’s athleticism will be key for YULA, as they look to win the rebound battle and control Eyal on the glass. YULA are such a well-oiled machine at this point that I think they have to be the pick, albeit in a close one. Something else to note is that at the time of writing (4:45AM on Sunday), the Macs home locker room, where YULA is set to be, is undefeated. YULA 56 TABC 51
AS: TABC has dominated in both of their wins to reach this semifinal game. YULA has had to battle in both games to come away with victories including an OT win against the Hillel Heat. Eyal Kinderlehrer is the real deal and I don’t see YULA stopping him. Kinderlehrer is coming off a 30 point 25 rebound performance in the win against SAR. TABC as a team is playing much better basketball right now than YULA. They’ll win this game with excellent defensive awareness as well as scoring and controlling the paint on offense.
TABC 53 YULA 42
MA: Both teams come out with intensity. TABC starts strong, with Kinderlehrer establishing himself inside. YULA counters with fast breaks, using Azeroul’s speed to get quick baskets.YULA adjusts their defense, trying to double-team Kinderlehrer and forcing TABC into turnovers. Feldman and Jaden Azeroul are effective at driving the lane for the top-seed. TABC responds with sharp shooting from the perimeter and more paint dominance from Kinderlehrer. The pace picks up in the second half and both teams begin a track meet. The Storm’s size continues to cause problems for the Panthers inside, but the reigning champs stay tight with timely three-pointers from their guards. With just a minute left, TABC is up by 3, but YULA forces a turnover and ties the game with a clutch trey. In the final seconds, TABC gets a clean look at the basket and secures the win with a jumper from Kinderlehrer, dethroning the reigning champions. Storm 56 Panthers 54
AP: California has dominated this tournament for a decade, with an LA school winning every year since 2017, and one representing the west coast in the last 10 championship games. Shalhevet won two in a row. COVID won two in a row. Valley Torah won two in a row. And now YULA has their chance to win two in a row. Standing in their way at the moment are the TABC Storm. In a tournament which feels like it has no alpha, perhaps the Storm, who seem to provide some level of consistency game in/game out, and have the ability to score inside and dominate the glass, make shots, and get stops, present the squad to notch NY a title. TABC also has the size to counter YULA at every position. The Storm have never advanced to a Tier I Championship game, and YULA has won 9. On Sunday afternoon, that all changes. TABC 58, YULA 55, in overtime.
OG: Cannot make a prediction.
YS: Magen David are putting together an incredible run as they downed Flatbush, North Shore, and Shalhevet in three consecutive days. While their wins haven’t always been pretty, this veteran squad has done just enough to move on. Berman opened in a battle against MTA that was close until the Cougars pulled away at the end. On Friday, the Cougar battle was back and forth in the first half before Berman took over after halftime. Both teams will look to force turnovers and score points in transition. I think this game comes down to whoever is hitting their shots. That being said, I think Magen David has proven they have that clutch gene and veteran experience to stay cool in the big moments. Give me the Warriors in yet another tight semifinal as we get a YULA-Magen David rematch in the Sarachek Championship on Monday. MDY 62 Berman 58
AS: Magen David has put together an awesome run winning 3 straight games in 3 days. The play from Dweck, Sherr, and Chabott has been outstanding and this team is super well coached and disciplined on both ends of the floor. This Magen David team is playing its best basketball at the right time. Berman by 20.
Berman 62 MDY 42
MA: MDY thrives on fast breaks and forced turnovers. The press wears down Berman, and they struggle to execute in the second half. The Warriors ability to run the floor and hit timely shots, led by Chabott and Dweck, secures a second consecutive finals berth. The Cinderella run continues. MDY 60 Berman 51
AP: MDY won this easily back in Satran. This game will be in the full-court as both teams are undersized and like to run and press off makes. That means it will likely come down to who is hitting shots. On Thursday Magen David struggled to hit. On Friday Magen David hit. For the tournament, Berman has underperformed their typical shooting numbers. On Sunday the Cougars will find their footing and Alex August will prove that the hype is real. The exciting journey for Magen David ends here. The Cougars’ first ever Tier I trip extends to Championship Monday. Berman 66, Magen David 61.
OG: The panel all has egg on their face after picking against MDY in the quarterfinals. Spike has his Warriors team playing like bulldogs in the month of March- lesson learned. My takeaway also is that playing in the play in game is an advantage and not a disadvantage. DRS went all the way to a Tier II championship last year and now the Warriors are one game away from returning to the championship game. Jack Dweck has really grown into that supporting role behind Phil Sherr and Josh Chabbott. On the other side, Berman pounced on the Frisch upset over DRS easily. They are 2-0 against YL teams thus far in the tournament but I’m thinking they don’t go three for three here. Magen David return to Championship Monday. Magen David 57 Berman 49
Tier II
YS: Ida Crown asserted their dominance over Fasman in a game where they reminded us how good they can be. North Shore led for most of the game against Katz and were able to hold off a late push from the Storm in their Tier II quarterfinal. I think this we be a low scoring affair between two teams that like to play a slow, defense first style. Ultimately, I think the Lions have more options to turn to and that gives them the edge. North Shore 47 Ida Crown 42
AS: Avi Okner had his best game of the tournament for Ida Crown and I think that he will continue his strong play against North Shore. Ida Crown will win this game by dominating the points in the paint battle.
Ida Crown 46 North Shore 42
MA: While Ida Crown has the best individual player in Avi Okner, North Shore’s balance and depth give them the edge. They’ve shown they can shut down high-scoring squads and execute on offense when needed. The defensive affair will be tight, but North Shore’s perimeter shooting and ability to limit Okner’s touches will make the difference. North Shore 58, Ida Crown 52
AP: Avi Okner may be the best player on the floor, but I’m not sure the Aces will be able to get him the ball enough in the right spots to outscore the shooting of Sassoon and Bokhour, and I don’t think there are enough pieces around him to win against a talented opponent. North Shore 51, Ida Crown 46.
OG: Ida Crown were able to bounce back against their Chicago rivals while North Shore got in the win column against Katz. Okner was dominant for the Aces and the Lions got all around solid play from their guards. Ida Crown got blown out by a team that North Shore knocked out of the YL playoffs. I think the Aces get outcoached here and the Lions punch their ticket into Championship Monday. North Shore 50 Ida Crown 39
YS: Montreal have been on a tear since their opening loss against SAR, beating Maimo by 40 and MTA by 30. Pat on the back moment for me as I not only picked Montreal to win, but I also correctly predicted we would get an Isaac Cons in-game dunk. That being said, they now get a tough draw, having to go against the Yeshiva League champions. After their upset at the buzzer against Frisch, DRS proved they haven’t quit with a big win against Mesivta. I think this a tough draw for Montreal, not just talent-wise but schematically. In order for the Heat to pull off the upset, Yaacov Ohayon will have to have an Eyal Kinderlehrer-esque game and feast inside. However, I think DRS will do a solid job containing this potent Montreal attack. I’ve been impressed by Montreal but give me the Wildcats to return to the Tier II finals. DRS 62 Montreal 50
AS: DRS was a legitimate contender to win Tier 1. After the upset loss against Frisch they have to settle for tier 2, but I believe they are well on their way to a tier 2 championship. If DRS plays with the same focus and intensity as they did against Mesivta, I don’t see a way they lose this game. I’ve been super impressed with Alloul and Ohayon for Montreal, but DRS is just on another level in terms of talent.
DRS 64 Montreal 52
MA: While Montreal has been impressive the last two days, this is a tough one for them. DRS has the experience, depth, and ability to handle Montreal's fast-paced game style, which will play into their hands. With Solomon and the rest of DRS’s defense limiting Montreal's inside impact, the Wildcats should be able to pull away in the second half. DRS 62 Montreal 51
AP: Montreal was extremely impressive and rolling on all cylinders last night, showing why myself and many others on this panel tabbed them as an “exciting team to keep an eye on for next Sarachek” at the conclusion of Sarachek 2024. They are the best team of those who are actually Tier II quality teams, and I would have them beating North Shore or Ida Crown if that was the matchup here. The problem is, they and everyone else in Tier II got messed over by Frisch beating DRS. The Wildcats are over their loss to Frisch and are ready to make their third straight Tier II championship game appearance. They’re hyped to go for back-to-back Tier II trophies and establish a Tier II dynasty similar to Ida Crown’s of a decade ago. DRS shouldn’t have issues with Montreal’s size, and has enough options offensively that Alloul can’t just take one guy out of the game and destroy the DRS offense. DRS is comfortable playing a fast-paced game as well and that negates a major part of Montreal’s typical advantage. Solomon will have his hands full with Ohayon, but he is strong and physical and will be able to keep him in check. Montreal’s run ends here. DRS 65, HA Montreal 56.
OG: I give a lot of credit to DRS for taking the Mesivta game seriously and going all in with their starters. As a result, the Mustangs were no match for the Yeshiva League champs. Montreal absolutely manhandled MTA from start to finish. I just don’t think they’ll be able to compete here. The Wildcats will return to Championship Monday to defend their Tier 2 title against North Shore in an all Yeshiva League final. DRS 60 Montreal 46
Tier III
YS: Maimonides impressed all of us by playing Montreal close in the first half of the Tier II qualifier, led by an impressive showing from freshman Amiel Jotkowitz. That being said, they then reminded us why they are the 20th seed by losing the second half 50-15. Valley Torah will look to a Tier III championship after a frustrating loss against Mesivta on Friday. The Wolfpack overwhelm the M-Cats as Valley Torah get back to a Sarachek finals, albeit not the one they were hoping for. Valley Torah 68 Maimonides 34
AS: Maimonides allowed 91 points in the loss against Montreal. 91 points is not good at all. Valley Torah is the better team. Simple.
Valley Torah 54 Maimonides 38
MA: While Maimonides has played with pride and shown potential in stretches, Valley Torah’s talent should ultimately win out. The Wolfpack’s struggles are well-documented, but they have too much to lose in this game—not just a Tier III semifinal, but their pride as a team that once dominated Tier I. Maimonides doesn't quite have the firepower outside of freshman star slasher Amiel Jotkowitz or defensive consistency to keep pace with Valley Torah once the latter wakes up in the second quarter. pulling away in the second half after a close first half. The M-Cats will hold an early lead, but the higher-seed’s experience will see them take control and not look back. Valley Torah 65 Maimonides 45
AP: Maimonides does not have the talent to compete with Valley Torah, but they had lower hopes than the Wolfpack coming into this tournament and I think they will actually hold an early lead here. Mid-second quarter Valley Torah will wake up and decide their pride is on the line and things will get out of hand by the late-third. Valley wins, 68-41.
OG: Valley Torah have their easiest and most fun game of the tournament here. Wolfpack get in the win column and get to play at YU on Monday. Valley Torah 60 Maimonides 25
YS: These two teams have already faced each other twice this season at Tanzman. Farber won in the opening round before Fuchs beat a crippled five-man Farber squad in the championship. While Farber looked better in the two head-to-head games, Fuchs is ranked higher for a reason. Moshe Jacobs leads the scoring as the Mayhem roll to a victory over the Fire and look to become Tier III champions. Fuchs 52 Farber 38
AS: Fuchs lost a tough close game against Katz in the Tier 2 qualifier game. I like Fuchs defensively in this one and they have just enough offense to get the job done.
Fuchs 47 Farber 34
MA: While Farber has the talent and the ability to pull off the upset, Fuchs Mizrachi’s experience makes them the favorites in this matchup. Farber may struggle to sustain their best level of play throughout the clash, particularly with Fuchs’ ability to adapt and execute in pressure-cooker moments. Fuchs 63 Farber 53
AP: These two teams have split their previous two matchups this season. Fuchs Mizrachi has outperformed their seed 4 years in a row and to do so again they will need a win here. This is a team with more Sarachek experience than Farber, and while the injuries they dealt with in their loss to Fuchs earlier this year might suggest that they are the right team to go with, experience and past success is a good indicator for victory here. Mizrachi will prove the committee’s decision-making right once more and head into Monday with a shot at some hardware. Mayhem 46, Fire 38.
OG: This is actually a rematch of the Tanzman final where Fuchs defeated Farber narrowly. I’m going with the Mayhem. Farber stayed close for a half but could not keep up after. Fuchs Mizrachi 49 Farber 38
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