On Friday, #9 Posnack Rams defeated #18 Beren Stars in a Tier II Qualifier held at Frisch. The final score was 62-51.
Both teams featured run and gun styles in the first half, pushing the ball up the court and pressing on nearly every possession. Sloppy play was particularly evident in the first quarter. Beren hung in early, but multiple runs by Posnack, including a 7-0 run in the final 45 seconds of the half, to go up 40-23. The teams both scored 11 in the third quarter. Akiva Garner (Mr. Fourth Quarter) showed up in the final period for Beren once again, knocking down three 3’s and cutting the Rams’ lead to 54-46. However, a clutch 3 pointer from Freshman Abie Bonkovski, followed by another trey from Junior Joshua Schultz, put the game out of reach for the Stars.
Posnack was led by Schultz, Bonkovski, and Senior Joel Brandwein, whose height and length were key. Posnack handily outrebounded the smaller Beren team. Another player who got well-deserved minutes for Posnack was Senior Jake Strober, whose presence down low was critical for the Rams. Beren was led by Garner, who has established himself as one of the best players in Sarachek 2019.
Posnack will now play in a Tier II semifinal against MTA, while Beren will be placed in Tier III. Both games will take place on Sunday in the YU gym.