The 7th grade “Game of the Week” featured a thrilling semifinal matchup between the undefeated Knicks and the Cinderella Warriors. This game lived up to be a classic, as the Knicks won a game for the ages 42-37 over the feisty Warriors on Monday night (8/5) in front of a sell-out crowd at the DSN Beach Club in Deal,NJ.
The win makes the Knicks Championship-bound, as they will play for the Golden trophy in next weeks championship game.
Right out of the gate both teams offenses were on display, as Raymond Askenazi of the Knicks and Joseph Kassin of the Warriors traded baskets, for a 2-2 tie early on.
Overall, it was the Warriors who were the better and hungrier team early on, as an errant Knicks pass, led to an Eli Braha three that gave the Warriors a 5-2 lead.
But as expected, the Knicks would wake up, as Abie Jemal and Jacob Shiloach would lead an 8-0 charge by the Knicks, to give them a 10-5 lead and make the stunned Warriors talk it over.
Out of the timeout, the Warriors came out flying, as a nifty layup by Charles Cohen, and a 3 by Joshua Kassin cut the Knicks lead down to one at 11-10. But then sensing the moment and the stakes of this game, Abie Jemal started to play like a man possessed, as he was everywhere on both sides of the ball, blocking shots, making tough layups and hitting free throws, helping the Knicks extend the lead to double digits at 20-10 and send the crowd in attendance into a frenzy.
But despite the “Abie run” the Warriors didn’t quit as Eli Braha led the Warriors on a mini 5-3 run to cut the Knicks led down to 8 at the break in 23-15.
The Knicks knew that one again, they would need to go on a big run to open the half, something they did so many times in the regular season led by superstar Philip Sherr.
They did just that, as Philip once again took over the game with his intensity and skill and with some help from Joshua Azaian, the Knicks built a commanding 31-19 lead, and were able to hold off a fierce, determined, and almost a game-changing offensive Warriors barrage led by Joshua Kassin and Eli Braha for a thrilling 42-37 win, that sends them to next weeks finals.
Down the stretch, Joshua Azizian, Raymond Ashkanazi And Jacob Shiloach knocked down some clutch shots to keep the Knicks in front.
SAVAGE KNICK OF THE WIN: Abie Jemal
His competitiveness and leadership captivated me and the sell-out crowd tonight. The Knicks have so many leaders on this team it’s crazy! All they have to do is show up one more time next week, and they are world champs!
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