Tier I Qualifier Preview: #4 Jewish Culture vs #13 TABC
- Marvin Azrak
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
Welcome back, champs!
#13 TABC Storm returns to the MSAC floor this Thursday night, but this is not the same group that cut down the nets last year. Those core athletes are mostly gone, and what’s left is a team trying to recalibrate while still carrying the weight of a championship identity. They’ve had their ups and downs this season but the impressive wins stand out. Wins over Frisch and SAR twice show the potential is still there.
So, expect TABC to come out strong, especially under legendary Coach Oz Cross who has trained with multiple NBA players and college athletes. They know the floor, they know the stage, and with the home crowd behind them, the energy should be there early. Akiva Borgen is the headliner, a scorer who can take over stretches, and Yonatan Faber gives TABC another offensive weapon who can create space and generate points. Around them, Naftali Hochstein brings leadership and heart, while Shlomo Wenger battles as center despite being undersized.
However, this isn’t last year’s TABC who won the Tier I Championship. And across from them is a team that doesn’t care about history.
Under the guidance of Coach Jarred Axon, the #4 Jewish Culture Lions from South Florida are making their Sarachek debut, but they don’t play like newcomers. With a 17-5 season behind them, they’ve been tested in multiple tournaments and a Satran finals appearance, and they enter with confidence and firepower. This is a team that wants to play fast, spread the floor, and score.
It starts with Shilo Kahan, a fearless shot-maker who thrives in big moments. Michael Hazan brings control and high-IQ playmaking, while Zee Itzkowitz injects pace and energy. Then there’s David Albilia, a freshman who already looks like a tough one to crack; he’s dynamic, versatile, and capable of scoring at all three levels. Add in Noah Seplowitz strong defense and Jojo Alfassy’s who improved very well over the season, and you’re looking at a team with depth, balance, and real offensive punch.
Tempo: Can TABC slow the game down?
This is everything. Jewish Culture wants pace. They seek to push off misses, quick decisions, and early offense. TABC needs to drag this into the half-court, sit in their zone, and make every possession a grind. If this game gets into the 70s, it heavily favors Jewish Culture. If it stays in the 50s, Storm Nation will rise.
TABC’s Borgen/Faber shot creation:
TABC doesn’t have the same depth as last year, so their offense leans heavily on Borgen and Faber. They need those two to, not just score, but stabilize possessions when things get shaky. If they’re efficient and control the flow, TABC could stay in it. If they struggle or force shots, it could unravel quickly.
Jewish Culture’s scoring balance:
This isn’t a one-man team. Kahan can take over, Albilia can explode, Hazan controls the game, and Itzkowitz pushes the pace. The question isn’t if they’ll score, it’s how many players get involved. If the offense is balanced and flowing, they’re tough to stop. If it becomes too reliant on one scorer, TABC’s zone can key in and disrupt Jewish Culture’s rhythm.
How To Watch:
Tip-Off is at 8:30PM from the MSAC. You can watch the game on MacsLive.