In this exciting Tier III matchup, Ida Crown controlled the tempo early, thanks to their pressure defense and three pointers. Junior Benny Albom hit two of Ida Crown’s four first quarter threes. However, Katz kept pace, thanks to the team’s precise passing, and inside finishes by Guard Abie Betesh, and were only down by one at the end of the quarter.
The game swung back and forth in the second quarter, featuring a nifty and-one by Katz’s Jacob Shulman and stout shooting by Josef Wortman, as Ida Crown held a 29-26 halftime lead.
More Ida Crown hustle and another Benny Albom three forced Katz to call a quick timeout after a third quarter run. The lead only got bigger, as Ida Crown scored the first 15 points in the third. Isaac Betesh’s 3 halfway through the quarter stopped the bleeding. Ida Crown led by 18 at the end of the third.
Ida Crown Senior Eli Glick dominated the fourth quarter, scoring eight points including scoring a three pointer while fouled. Betesh and Junior Noah Mamann got good shots, but it was not enough.
Ida Crown will play on Monday for the Tier III Championship.