Final standings: Marvin Azrak: 24-6 (Champion) Zachary Sicklick: 23-7 Yosef Silver: 22-8 Ari Schopf: 20-10 Oren Glickman; 14-11 Akiva Poppers: 9-4 Combined Record: 112-46 (.709) Quotes from our panelists: AP: I was the only panelist in last year’s wrapup to pick DRS to win Sarachek 2026. Also shoutout to TABC on becoming the first team to ever prove me wrong in picking against them three games in a row.  YS: Unfortunately I couldn’t complete the chazaka, but I’ll take going b

Order of Finish: 1.DRS 2.Frisch 3.Jewish Culture 4.Shalhevet 5.Ramaz 6.Flatbush 7.Valley Torah 8.SAR 9.TABC 10.Ida Crown 11.Fuchs Mizrachi 12.Berman H.A. 13.YULA 14.MTA 15.Katz YHS 16.H.A. Montreal 17.HANC 18.Hillel Pittsburgh 19.Beren Houston 20.SCY High All Stars: David Albilia, Jewish Culture Yitz Bennett, DRS Meir Dan, Valley Torah Maxwell Eiseman, SCY High Yonatan Faber, TABC Zack Itzkowitz, Hillel Pittsburgh Noah Lichtman, Berman H.A. Rafi Miller, Beren Houston Ayden Mi

This felt like a championship the second you walked in. The MSAC was packed, loud, and on edge. And by the end of it, after swings, momentum shifts, and a game that never let you breathe, #1 DRS outlasted #3 Frisch 54–50 to capture the Sarachek title. This was a comeback, a response. A team taking a punch early, flipping the game, and then holding on when everything tightened late. Frisch didn’t just throw the first punch; they controlled the entire opening stretch. Jessie R

The final score says it all: 61–54 TABC Storm, but that doesn’t even begin to capture what this game felt like. This wasn’t just a Tier II final — this was two teams that battled all week, earned their way here, and played like it with a trophy on the line. You had the #13 TABC Storm, riding momentum after knocking off #12 YULA and #9 Berman. And across from them, the #10 Ida Crown Aces — the Kings of Tier II — looking to prove they still owned that title after taking down #1

This one didn’t feel like “17th place.” It felt like a team finishing a journey — and by the end of it, HANC walked away with a 69–61 win over Hillel Pittsburgh to claim the Tier III championship. From the opening minutes, you could feel their intent. This wasn’t a team just happy to be there. This was a team ready to finish it. And from the jump, they made that clear. Yossi Davidowitz was everywhere early, setting the tone on both ends, and just like that, it was 9–2, then 1

This is it. DRS vs. Frisch. Sarachek Final for the national title. Not just the last game — the right game. You’ve got the back-back Yeshiva League champs, the standard of the tournament, a team that has answered every question with control, depth, and dominance. And then you’ve got Frisch, a team that didn’t just arrive — they earned this. Battle-tested, physical, and led by a star who has taken over big moments all week. Both squads have looked like the most complete in t

This isn’t just a Tier II final. This is a matchup between two teams that have played like contenders all week — and now get one last shot to prove it. The TABC Storm and Ida Crown Aces didn’t coast their way here. They earned it through some statement wins like the #13 Storm upsetting #12 YULA and #9 Berman, while Ida Crown, notably the Kings of Tier two, beat #15 MTA and #14 Fuchs Mizrachi. So what are the keys for the Aces from Chicago to retain their moniker or for the S

This one might be the “17th place game” on paper, but there’s a trophy on the line. HANC had to earn its way into this tournament the hard way through winning a play-in game with pressure from the tip off, but they responded and took down JEC. Next, they moved on and fell to Montreal in a tight game. Then, they handled business against SCY High.  Hillel Pittsburgh is making their first-ever championship game appearance. They got knocked out of Tier II by Fuchs, but didn’t fol

UPDATED STANDINGS Akiva Poppers: 7-3 Yosef Silver: 19-8 Ari Schopf: 19-8 Marvin Azrak: 22-5 Zachary Sicklick: 21-6 Oren Glickman: 12-11 Tier III Championship: #17 HANC vs #19 Hillel Pittsburgh AP: As hard as Hillel works defensively, I think the talent gap might be a bit too much to overcome here in their first ever championship game appearance. HANC will go from winning the play-in to winning a Tier III Championship. HANC 54, Hillel 41. YS: Hillel survived Beren by the skin

The early-arriving new kids on the block vs the defending champs, who have already been here, done this, and finished the job, and a spot in the Tier I finals on the line. Get your popcorn ready because you’re about to witness a barnburner.  DRS isn’t just the 1 seed; they’re the measuring stick of this tournament. The back-back Yeshiva League champs have unfinished business at this national tournament. The group that knows exactly what it takes to navigate these games, make

This is the kind of semifinal you want at Sarachek, two teams that didn’t just arrive here, but look like they belong here. On one side, Shalhevet has been one of the most impressive teams in the field. Not just winning, but  dominating games with confidence, pace, and shot-making. Meanwhile, Frisch is a team that feels more complete than a year ago, anchored by one of the most dominant players in the tournament and surrounded by pieces that know exactly how to complement him

The new kids on the block looked like they belonged on the Final Four stage. They came out confident, running, attacking — setting the tone early and showing they were more than ready for the moment. For a stretch, Jewish Culture didn’t just hang, they banged.  And then the back-back Yeshiva League champs — the top seed arrived. What followed was a complete shift. DRS settled in, tightened everything defensively, and turned a tight semifinal into a runaway, pulling away for a

This wasn’t just a semifinal — it was a fight for tempo control, and by the end of it, #3 Frisch walked away with a 51–42 win over #2 Shalhevet and a trip to the Tier I Sarachek Final. Right out of the gate, the Cougars punched first with an 8–0 run, and it wasn’t just one guy — it was the supporting cast announcing themselves. Judah Ness knocked down a couple of threes, Noam Grossman did exactly what he always does — get left and finish — and suddenly it was 12–5 Frisch afte

STANDINGS: Marvin Azrak: 19-2 Zachary Sicklick: 16-5 Yosef Silver: 16-5 Ari Schopf: 15-6 Oren Glickman; 9-9 Akiva Poppers: 3-1 #18 Beren vs #19 Hillel Akiva Poppers: Hillel has never been to a championship game, but I think they have the group to change that. They aren’t extremely talented, but they are physical and play hard. They’ll keep this game low-scoring and escape with a win. Hillel 39, Beren 37. Yosef Silver: Beren had a great season,  I really like the Beren had an

ANNOUNCEMENT: With Ramaz falling to Jewish Culture in the Tier I quarterfinals and being eliminated from championship contention, we welcome Ramaz Assistant Coach and MacsLive legend Akiva Poppers back onto the picks panel. STANDINGS:  Marvin Azrak: 15-2 Yosef Silver: 13-4 Zachary Sicklick 12-5  Ari Schopf: 11-6 Oren Glickman: 7-8 Akiva Poppers: 0-0 Tier 2 Quarterfinals: #12 YULA vs #13 TABC: Akiva Poppers : I’m told that no one cared about the panel without me on it, but thi

It was another Shalhevet statement. Instead of the shootout some might’ve expected, it became a defensive clinic as the #2 Firehawks rolled past #7 Flatbush 44–30 to move into the Tier I semifinals. From the jump, you could see the tone Shalhevet wanted to impose. They made life miserable for Aaron Romano, whose offensive rhythm was disrupted and nearly taken away completely by a defense that was disciplined and relentless. Flatbush wasn’t disorganized, but their offense beca

This game unfolded almost exactly how we expected it might: competitive early, physical throughout, and then slowly but surely, #1  DRS pulled away for a 64–50 win over #8 Valley Torah to punch their ticket to the Tier I semifinals. From the opening tip, the feisty Wildcats brought the physicality. They made DRS work for everything and never allowed the top seed to get comfortable. Benny Mahgereftah knocked down a corner three-pointer, they battled on the glass, and they stay

This one was a grinder, a track meet, and then absolute chaos — and in the end, Jewish Culture survived a furious Ramaz comeback, 62–58, to punch their ticket to the semifinals. From the jump, you could feel the physicality. Every possession was contested, every drive met with bodies. Noah Hiltzik got Ramaz going early with a catch-and-shoot three, and the Rams leaned into that gritty, half-court style to grab an early edge. But Jewish Culture’s size showed up immediately — c

The #1-seeded DRS Wildcats will face the #8-seeded Valley Torah Cougars in a heavyweight Tier I quarterfinal matchup that promises to be a good one! DRS enters this game following a resilient opening-round performance against #16 HA Montreal. While the Heat kept pace early, tying the game at 10-10 after the first quarter, the defending Yeshiva League champions eventually took control, securing a 63-50 victory. They continue to rely on the veteran leadership of offensive orche

This one had everything — star power, runs, adjustments, and a finish that had the entire MSAC holding its breath. Ultimately, #3 Frisch survives a thriller, taking down #6 SAR 50–47 to punch their ticket to the semifinals — and get a little revenge while they’re at it. From the jump, the game felt like the two teams knew each other well. Every action had a counter, every run had a response. Nathan Neufeld got Frisch going early, attacking downhill and taking advantage of the