Tier I Semifinal Preview: Shalhevet Vs #3 Frisch

This is the kind of semifinal you want at Sarachek, two teams that didn’t just arrive here, but look like they belong here.

On one side, Shalhevet has been one of the most impressive teams in the field. Not just winning, but  dominating games with confidence, pace, and shot-making. Meanwhile, Frisch is a team that feels more complete than a year ago, anchored by one of the most dominant players in the tournament and surrounded by pieces that know exactly how to complement him.

Everything for Shalhevet starts with Sam Jacobson, and right now, he’s playing at an elite level. He’s not just scoring — he’s dictating. Three-level scorer, comfortable with the ball, able to create in isolation or within the offense. When he gets into rhythm early, Shalhevet becomes incredibly difficult to slow down because everything opens up off his gravity.

Yet what makes them dangerous is that they don’t rely on one dimension. They play fast when they can, they move the ball, and they trust multiple guys, like guards Ben Jacobson and Judah Stern to make the next play. 

As for Frisch, Isaac Stepner is the centerpiece, and he’s as impactful as anyone in this tournament. He controls the glass, scores through contact, and can completely take over stretches without forcing bad shots. More importantly, he plays with a pace that can slow games down, and that’s exactly what Frisch wants. There’s also Nathan Neufeld who can also create offense and hit tough shots. Judah Suss stretches the floor and keeps defenders honest. Noam Grossman brings a defensive edge that can disrupt rhythm and make every possession harder than it should be. And as a group, they’re comfortable playing in tight, physical games.

Just how much Stepner?

Stepner will score, but he will also rebound effectively. He’s the kind of player who can take a tight game and quietly tilt it over a five-minute stretch without forcing anything. If he’s dominating the glass, creating extra possessions, and dictating pace, Frisch is going to be right there no matter what. And if it’s close late, that’s exactly the type of environment where his presence becomes even bigger.

Secondary scoring: 

In a semifinal like this, both stars are going to make plays. Yet the game often swings on everything around that  the role players hitting a timely shot, a defensive stop after a run, a smart possession when things start to get tight. Shalhevet has looked connected and confident in those areas so far. Frisch is built on discipline and toughness in those exact moments. Whichever team is sharper in those possessions is likely to be the one walking to the final.

Sam Jacobson sets the Ceiling: 

Frisch isn’t walking into this thinking they can guard him one-on-one for 32 minutes and live with the results. They’re going to crowd him, show bodies, maybe send help on drives, and try to make every touch feel uncomfortable. So the key isn’t whether Jacobson scores; he will, and so will his brother Ben. The key is how he scores and how the defense reacts to him. If Jacobson is getting downhill, touching the paint, and forcing rotations, that’s when Shalhevet is at its best. That’s when the game opens up. If Frisch can keep him on the perimeter, make him work for every touch, and limit those paint touches, the entire offense starts to feel tighter. If Sam plays under control, reads the defense, picks his spots well, and still produces efficiently, Shalhevet’s offense becomes incredibly hard to contain.