In a Tier II Qualifying game at TABC, the Mesivta of Philadelphia Mustangs took down the Katz Yeshiva High School Storm 64-60. Mesivta came into the tournament as the lowest ranked team, but they silenced the doubters with an incredible performance.
Katz struggled for much of the first quarter, only scoring two points in the first five minutes, but then they turned on the jets, scoring a quick 10 points and taking the lead heading into the second.
Mesivta was not discouraged though, and they continued to play with immense grit, driving hard to the basket for tough layups and never giving up on the defensive side of the ball. They were able to retake the lead which they had relinquished heading into the half.
The Mustangs really took off in the third quarter, extending their lead to double digits. This squad was not phased at all by their opponent, and they continued to play hard on each and every play.
It was early in the fourth quarter and the Storm were running out of time to come back in this game, so they turned to star Jonathan Levy. Levy hadn’t played at all in the first half due to a minor injury, but he looked as good as new in the second half, coming up with a handful of steals and converting on many fast break layups, bringing his team to within two points of the Mustangs with under a minute left. The Mustangs, however, calmly sank four free throws with under a minute left to stave of the Storm and win in their first Sarachek game this weekend.
This 24 over 9 upset is the largest upset in terms of seed differential (15 seed differential) in Sarachek history.
With the win, Mesivta will move on to face the Berman Cougars on Saturday night at 10PM at TABC, while Katz will also be playing at 10PM on Saturday night at TABC in the other gym. They will face HAFTR.
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