Aces at Sarachek

The boys varsity basketball team went to NYC for the YU Sarachek tournament last weekend and nearly achieved its goal of winning four straight games. Playing its best basketball of the year on its biggest stage, the team quickly dispatched Atlanta Jewish Academy on Thursday, 61-30, led by junior Zack Cooper’s 17 points.

On Friday, the team defeated host school MTA in triple overtime in a Sarachek “instant classic.” Cooper added another 15 while junior Daniel Otani and senior Ethan Frank poured in 16 each in the 61-59 win. That game was easily the most exciting game of the tournament — until the Aces played on Sunday night.

In the Tier II semifinal, the Aces took on RASG of Miami, FL. RASG’s sharpshooters were a lot to handle and they raced out to an 8-point lead before half. But the Aces were undeterred, and came roaring back from a 10 point deficit, and then again from a 9-point deficit. Even when it appeared that RASG was up for good with a 7-point lead inside of two minutes, the Aces stormed back again with their vaunted press, and caused a turnover inside 20 seconds to go. Senior Ethan Frank then hit a three-pointer with four seconds to go, sending the gym into a frenzy, and it appeared the game was headed to OT. But RASG threw in a buzzer-beating tip-in after a desperation shot missed badly, and the Aces were knocked out of the Tier II final. Ethan Frank and Daniel Otani led the team with 26 and 25 points, respectively.

Finally, on Monday, the Aces wrapped up their season with a hard-fought 45-42 win over Cooper of Memphis. Ethan Frank led the team with 20 and Zack Cooper added 13. The team finished its season winning three of four and had a great tournament experience, on the court and off.

Photo Credit: Macslive