Memphis Yeshiva Invitational

11-3-2016 | Heschel HEAT TORCH Yeshiva of Waterbury Wolfpack in Overtime!

11-3-2016 | Heschel HEAT TORCH Yeshiva of Waterbury Wolfpack in Overtime!

By: Akiva Finkelstein

The #8 seed Waterbury Wolfpack faced off against the #9 seed Heschel Heat in the opening game of the Cooper Invitational, with the tip off going to the Wolfpack. Heschel got off a to a great start, taking an early lead and going on a 10-0 run. Led by Jeremy Spiera, the Heat were aggressive and dominant. The Wolfpack didn’t lose hope, though, and started knocking down shots and getting key defensive stops. Wolfpack closed in, ending the quarter trailing by just five points 13-18. In the second quarter, the two teams were neck to neck. Waterbury tied the game at 20-20 early on in the quarter, and soon took their first lead of the game. They hit some game changing threes and capitalized on the opportunities at the free throw line. They carried their momentum throughout, but the Heat never let them get too much ahead, keeping the game close, all quarter. 

Dovid Reiser and Abbie Resnick were big for the Wolfpack, and Ilan Orgel and Jeremy Spiera were key for the Heat. After many back and forth plays, the half ended with the Wolfpack up 30-29.

In the fourth quarter, the Wolfpack expanded their lead taking their largest lead in the game. Heschel struggled on both ends of the court, yet still never gave up. With three and a half minutes left in the game, they cut the lead to four. They soon regained the momentum, and after several good plays, they were back in the lead by one point with under two minutes to go. Menachem Buff brought the Wolfpack right back in the lead with a contested layup. In another game changing moment, Michael Gatan knocked down a three, giving them a two point lead. With just five seconds left, Ari Eisenberger scored, sending this intense game into overtime.

In overtime, the game remained very close throughout. Both teams played well, and never let the game slip away from them. The Wolfpack gained a slight lead with just twenty seconds remaining, but Michael Gatan hit a clutch three to finish off the incredible game, winning 58-57. Orgel led the Heat with 21 points, and David led the Wolfpack with 12 points.

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