When #3 DRS and #14 Frisch take the Max Stern Athletic court Thursday night under the bright lights of Sarachek Tier I, there’s more on the line than just a spot in the next round. It is about redemption, proving the doubters wrong, and, for DRS, maybe even a little unfinished business.
The Wildcats are riding a wave of momentum. Last year, they took down Frisch in the play-in game but fell short of Tier I. They responded fiercely, storming through Tier II and winning the championship. That chip-on-the-shoulder energy hasn’t faded. They already have a MDY Preseason tournament and Satran Tournament titles under their belt and recently added a Yeshiva League crown with a 66-63 overtime win over #4 TABC.
If you ask head coach Moshe Cohen, last year’s Sarachek Coach of the Year, none of that is enough. After securing the YL title, he clarified: "We want Sarachek. We want to be No. 1 in the country." He’s got the roster to back that statement up. Joe Aaron is as versatile as they come—a sharpshooting positionless weapon who can impact the game on both sides of the floor. Tzvi Tsaidi has become a star, too, creating his own shot and generating offensive opportunities throughout the game.
DRS has also been on a heater in other sports, with both the JV and Varsity hockey titles already in hand. If that championship DNA carries over, the Wildcats will be a tough out for anyone.
#3 Joe Aaron and DRS will look to repeat the feat against #14 Frisch in a Sarachek rematch on Thursday night. (Photo Credit: @shot.by.j2 on IG)
You can’t sleep on Frisch, either. The Cougars have been waiting for vengeance. Last year’s play-in loss to DRS sent them packing early, and that memory hasn’t faded. They’re entering with something to prove. Frisch finished 8-6 in the Yeshiva League and landed as the six-seed but fell to #8 Hillel in the first round of the playoffs. They might be underdogs here, but they have a puncher’s chance—especially with Isaac Stepner leading the way.
Stepner isn’t just good; he’s ahead of schedule. Called up to varsity as a sophomore, he’s already established himself as a legitimate scoring threat. Then there’s Max Schachter, an absolute pest on defense who, at one point, was averaging an astounding four steals per game. If Frisch wants to pull this upset off, it starts with them.
The last time these two teams met, DRS narrowly escaped with a 37-35 win in the Greenhouse on November 12th. That tells you everything. It’s not your typical 3 Vs 14 tilt. It could be way closer than people think. DRS is the favorite, but Frisch has revenge on their minds. Stepner gives them a fighting chance, and if they can get some stops, the tides can turn like that.
Thursday night. Primetime. Let’s see if the Cougars can catch the Wildcats by surprise or if DRS will keep their title dreams alive.
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