The #1 vs. #4 matchup lived up to its hype, drawing a sold-out crowd. The gym was packed to the rafters, every breath shared in the electric atmosphere. In the end, it was the underdog, #4 TABC Storm, that defied expectations, narrowly escaping with a victory over the powerhouse #1 YULA Panthers.
Before the battle commenced, the afternoon took a solemn moment with a tribute to Moish Kranzler A’H, a man whose dedication to the Red Sarachek tournament while at YU left an indelible mark. His memory served as a fitting prelude to a game that would be etched in tournament lore.
As the tip-off finally found stability after two false starts, YULA controlled possession, but TABC’s defense quickly imposed its will. Yonah Mandel, #0, struck first blood, burying a three-pointer from the top of the key to ignite the Storm. The momentum swelled as TABC unleashed a relentless full-court press, forcing back-to-back turnovers and converting them into easy buckets. In the blink of an eye, they had seized an 8-0 lead, leaving YULA stunned and scrambling for answers.
A timeout proved to be the jolt the Panthers needed. YULA came out with renewed focus, executing a crisp offensive sequence that broke the ice and sparked a ferocious response. What followed was a blistering 10-0 Panther run, orchestrated by Jaden Azeroul, who poured in five crucial points. The eruption was momentarily halted when Yonatan Faber silenced the surge with a corner three, nudging TABC back ahead. The remainder of the first quarter became a tug-of-war, with the Storm clinging to a 17-12 advantage at the break.
The #4 TABC Storm dethroned reigning champions the #1 YULA Panthers 55-52 in the Tier I semifinals on Sunday afternoon. (MacsLive)
The second quarter opened with both teams
misfiring on open looks, the tension thickening as the ball refused to drop. That was until Faber struck again, this time from the wing, breaking the dry spell with a deep triple. Moments later, Saks capitalized on a steal, hitting an uncontested layup to stretch TABC’s lead to double digits. The game then entered a defensive deadlock, neither side scoring for a grueling two-minute stretch. But when the silence broke, it was YULA’s Gabbay who made the loudest statement, raining down 2 three-pointers en route to a commanding 15-point first half. Despite his heroics, TABC still held the edge at halftime, up by eight.
YULA emerged from the locker room determined, slicing the deficit to four as they funneled their offense through the red-hot Gabbay. But TABC would not be rattled. Faber once again answered the call, draining another dagger from beyond the arc to push the lead back to nine. The defenses then dug in, each possession becoming a war of attrition. When the dust settled at the end of the third quarter, TABC maintained a steady 39-30 lead, standing just eight minutes away from an upset victory.
The fourth quarter opened with fireworks—a YULA fast-break layup followed by an immediate three-point shootout between Saks and Azeroul. As the Panthers chipped away at the deficit with methodical precision, Faber once again transformed into TABC’s savior, launching yet another three-ball that kept the Storm in control. With under three minutes to play, the margin had shrunk to a miniscule seven points. A YULA bucket made it five, prompting Coach Oz to call a timeout to steady the ship.
The final minute was a symphony of pressure and poise. YULA’s offense found its rhythm, and clutch free throw shooting brought them within striking distance. With under 40 seconds remaining, the gap was a mere three points. Then, with 20 seconds left, Gabbay slashed through the defense for a layup, cutting the deficit to two. TABC struggled at the line, converting only one of two free throws on consecutive trips, leaving the door wide open.
Ten seconds. One possession. A shot to force overtime.
YULA, with the ball on the sideline, had their moment. The pass found its target, the shot went up—but it clanged off the rim. The rebound fell into the hands of TABC, and with it, the victory.
The buzzer sounded. The underdogs had prevailed. In a game of heart-pounding drama and razor-thin margins, the Storm had weathered the Panthers’ fury and emerged victorious in a battle worthy of the grandest stage.
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