Grand final glory for Maccabi juniors
TWO Maccabi basketball teams won grand finals on the weekend while another two lost in the biggest match of the season.
TWO Maccabi basketball teams won grand finals on the weekend while another two lost in the biggest match of the season.
In the City of Sydney competition, the Maccabi Warriors had a battle royale with arch rivals the Saints in the boys’ under 14 division three decider.
In a physical encounter, both teams found it hard to score in the first half.
Maccabi went into the break holding a slender 6-5 lead – Tyler Gilbert contributing with four points.
Gilbert continued to make an impact in the second half, working well with Josh Benchoam, who wasn’t shy to get involved and face up against the taller of the Saints players.
Ben Milner, Ben Springer and Sascha Rosen kept the Saints defence stretching throughout, enabling Maccabi to push through with several fast-break layups at crucial times.
And Max Nathan and Jacob Levy were strong on defence.
At 14-12 to Maccabi, the Saints missed two free throw attempts and Maccabi was able to extend its lead to four – an all-game high.
The Saints came back to within two points with one minute left in the match, but Maccabi managed to hang on and win a thrilling grand final 16-14.
In the under 12 division three grand final, Maccabi United dominated the Newtown Nets from the outset, rushing to a 21-6 lead by half-time.
Kasey Collins, Jake Sher, Dylan Judd and Jacob Wineberg were superb on defence, blocking many shot attempts and securing rebound after rebound.
In attack, Sam Greenberg, Robbie Kaplan and Zac Judd regularly made fast breaks and followed up with some spectacular layups.
That made the Nets players cover a lot of ground defending, tiring them out, particularly in the second half.
Coach Michael Klein said Maccabi United’s star player of the match was Allan Melicov “who couldn’t put a foot wrong, getting basket after basket, as well – on the opposite end of the court – blocking several shots and grabbing every rebound”.
Maccabi United finished up 45-20 winners, the top scorers being Sam Greenberg (24 pts) and Alan Melicov (10 pts).
The Maccabi Mercury team fought hard in their under 14 girls’ division 1/2B grand final, but weren’t able to finish up winners against the Newtown Flames.
The first half was tight all the way, and Maccabi went into the break trailing 10-11.
Newtown played better and more aggressively in the second half, and went on to win 24-17.
In the Easts Basketball League, the Maccabi Bulls put in a bold showing in their 10A grand final against the taller Golden Cavs side, and trailed 6-8 at half-time.
The Bulls showed tremendous spirit, but turned the ball over too many times against the Cavs, who won 18-14. Cooper Plaskow top scored for the Bulls with 4 points.
SHANE DESIATNIK
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