Best Week Yet for Aces Varsity Basketball

The boys’ varsity basketball team had their best week of the season, notching three wins in five days to finally move past the .500 mark.

On Saturday night, the Aces played their fourth consecutive road game, taking on their rival CJHS — featuring the leading Jewish scorer in the country — at Fairview Middle School in Skokie. The crowds for both teams were raucous and the Aces found themselves down three at the half. The third quarter was a different story, though, as the Aces defense clamped down and the offense kicked into gear. The team pulled away for a convincing 53-36 victory, led by junior Ethan Frank and Senior Kevin Bokor with 18 points each.

Back at home on Monday night, the Aces took on conference foe CICS-Ellison, whom they had beaten in overtime on the road less than two weeks ago. Ellison came out on fire, and the Aces were down by five at half and eight in the third quarter. The Aces then brought out their vaunted denial press, which led to several Ellison turnovers and helped close the gap. The Aces also took care of business at the free throw line, including Senior Natan Oliff hitting four consecutive free throws after a foul subsequent technical foul on Ellison. The Aces held on for a 56-49 win, and were led Kevin Bokor’s 21 and Natan Oliff’s 14.

Finally, on Wedesday the Aces took on Chicago Math and Science, and led by two at the half despite giving up 24 points to CMSA’s center in a half. Again the team clamped down defensively, and did not allow CMSA’s big man even a single point in the second half. Meanwhile, the Aces’ own big men worked the high-low game, and Kevin Bokor finished with 24 while Natan Oliff added 14; junior Isaac Gordon also poured in 11, including three first-half three pointers. The Aces won by a final score of 64-56.

And now the Aces’ attention turns to Saturday Night’s Senior Night, where the team will honor seniors Gidon Neuman, Cheely Birn, Natan Oliff, and Kevin Bokor. COME EARLY. WEAR WHITE. BE LOUD. GO ACES!!!