As the matinee matchup here on Opening Day at Sarachek 2019, the #16 Katz Yeshiva (Boca Raton, FL) Storm will take on the #17 Southern California Yeshiva (San Diego, CA) Hawks in a tight battle, with the winner having the opportunity to advance to Tier II.
Katz Yeshiva, coached by Adam Lieberman, will look to their talented frontcourt to lead the way to victory. Small Forward Noah Mamann leads the way averaging 13.1 PPG on the season, while the well over six foot big-man Adi Rotenstein and David Kahane pace the team in rebounding, averaging 6.6 and 5.4 RPG, respectively. Additional contributions from guard Abie Betesh (7.4 PPG) will round out the offensive game of Katz Yeshiva.
Southern California, otherwise known as SCY High, relies on a fast paced, run and gun, offense and a high-pressure defense. On the offensive end of things, the Hawks are led by all-league 1st team members, seniors Tani Capland (17.1 PPG, 2.7 APG) and Raphael Shpitalnik (13.4 PPG, 15.3 RPG, League MVP), while defensively they are anchored by junior Elie Aron, who is averaging an impressive 6.2 steals per game, and is the team Defensive Player of the Year.
Expect to see a fierce contest as two equally matched teams battle it out for the right to advance in the tournament. The winner will advance to play a game that will place them either in Tier II or Tier III, while the loser will drop to Tier IV. Tipoff is at 1 PM. Be sure to tune in at MacsLive.com, the official broadcast network of Yeshiva University athletics and exclusive home of the Red Sarachek Basketball Tournament, to catch all the exciting action.