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

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

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

This one played out exactly how it was drawn up until one performance ruled the roost and bent the entire game to its will. #7 Flatbush takes it 51–44 over #10 Ida Crown, advancing to the Tier I Elite Eight, but don’t let the score fool you — this was a mercurial battle of pace vs. control, a game that kept shifting its shape before finally settling into one clear reality. Early on, you could almost see the vista Ida Crown envisioned. Slow it down. Stay disciplined. Turn this

This is one of those matchups that feels a little dangerous, but sometimes a little danger is what makes a great game. Leading the #10 Ida Crown Aces from Chicago, Illinois is Coach Jonathan Rich. While the Ida Crown lost many of their players from last year, they have a good blend of returning players and JV guys who have moved up. The team is made up of disciplined and capable players.  Judah Well will impact the game in many ways: on the glass, defensively, and by stabiliz

Note: Akiva Poppers has resigned from the panel as he is now an assistant coach at Ramaz. In his place is MacsLive Associate Producer, Zachary Sicklick.  Wednesday picks: HANC vs. JEC Yosef Silver: These two teams played earlier in the year, but both coaches would tell you that they aren’t putting too much stock into the JEC blowout victory. JEC is a talented team with a few nice pieces. In their playoff game, HANC showed us they can hang with some of the best. I think this g