Romano Rules the Roost as #7 Flatbush Downs #10 Ida Crown in Tier I Qualifier
- Marvin Azrak
- 9 hours ago
- 3 min read
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 into a grind. And for a quarter, it worked. The game felt measured, controlled — 11–10 after one — exactly the kind of environment where Judah Well could stabilize things, and the Aces could operate.
Then Aaron Romano happened. The Falcons star erupted with unbridled confidence, turning the second quarter into a personal showcase. Three after three, shot-making that felt almost extemporaneous, like he was running on gut. Ida Crown stayed in man, a bit obstinate in their approach, and Romano made them pay. The defense began to erode, and Flatbush was flying like free birds.
Joey Esses anchored the interior like a true enforcer, Oliver Abitbol brought pugnacious energy on both ends, and Flatbush’s effort on the glass undermined Ida Crown’s ability to generate second chances. What started as a balanced game quickly became one where Flatbush held the keys to the castle — dictating tempo looks, and everything else under the sun.
Still, Ida Crown didn’t fold. Judah Well, poured in 14 points and was everywhere, even as defenses collapsed on him — sometimes triple-teamed, still producing. His presence kept the Aces from slipping into anything dismal. When they switched to zone and found a brief rhythm, you could feel the game tighten again. Adin Mishkin’s three pulled them within single digits, and suddenly the undercurrents shifted. Yet every time it threatened to flip? Romano answered.
The senior aced A 27-point night with seven triples, each one arriving at the exact moment Flatbush needed it. Down the stretch, Ida Crown had chances. They fought. They clawed. They tried to drag the game back into their world. Yet, Flatbush stayed composed, stayed disciplined, and, most importantly, stayed efficient—no rushed possessions or breakdowns, just execution, which was the hallmark of their 11-3 Yeshiva League regular season and Glouberman and Magen David tournament wins. It’s why they’re one of the seven best teams in the country.
Flatbush won the possession battle:
This wasn’t just about threes. Esses on the glass, Abitbol’s activity, and overall defensive discipline gave Flatbush control of the little things. They limited second chances, contested without fouling, and didn’t let Ida Crown’s structure fully settle in. Over time, that led to erosion, fewer clean looks, more pressure possessions, and a game that started slipping out of the Aces' preferred quick rhythm.
Ida Crown got the game they wanted — they just couldn’t sustain it:
For stretches, this was Ida Crown’s blueprint. Slower tempo, organized sets, Judah Well stabilizing everything even under constant pressure. They even found moments where the game tightened, and the undercurrents shifted back in their favor. However, sustaining that level of control for 32 minutes is exhausting — especially against a team with Flatbush’s shot-making. The structure and fight were there, but the margin for error was too small, and eventually the Falcons' firepower overwhelmed it.
Romano bent the game — not just with scoring, but with gravity:
It wasn’t just the 27 points or the seven threes; it was how Romano changed everything around him. Ida Crown had to stay attached, send extra attention, and constantly be aware of where he was. That opened up driving lanes, cleaner rebounds, and easier reads for everyone else. His shooting didn’t just add points—it distorted the defense. And once that happened, Flatbush wasn’t just playing offense; they were dictating it, too.