11-8-2014 | CJHS Tigers Advance to Tier II Championship, Defeat JDS Lions 48-43

11-8-2014 | CJHS Tigers Advance to Tier II Championship, Defeat JDS Lions 48-43

By: Tani Finkelstein

The Chicagoland Jewish High School Tigers took on the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School Lions in the second Tier II semifinal on Saturday night. In the first quarter, both teams struggled to find their rhythm early. After a couple triples from guard Daniel Kuhnreich, however, the Lions took the early lead. The Tigers, led by Josh Newlander, still stayed in striking distance.

In the second quarter, Newlander got even more aggressive, getting to the line and converting. The Lions still held the lead, however, until consecutive baskets by Eli Nasatir and a triple by Josh Newlander gave the Tigers the lead. With the game tied and the clock expiring, Kuhnreich hit a buzzer-beater three-pointer to give the Lions the lead back, 27-24. Kuhnreich finished the half with 13 for the Lions, while Newlander finished the half with 15 for the Tigers.

In the third quarter, Chicagoland came out strong, taking the lead quickly. The Lions countered with their own solid play, tying the score at the end of the quarter at 34 apiece, setting up an exciting final quarter.

In the fourth quarter, with the Chicagoland bench pumping adrenaline into his arms, Josh Newlander came up big once again, giving the Tigers the lead. A triple from Kuhnreich, however, put the Lions back within one. Josh Newlander had other ideas, scoring on back to back possessions to give his Tigers a comfortable lead. Chicagoland never looked back, taking the 48-43 win and advancing to the Tier II championship. Newlander finished with 27 points for the Tigers, while Daniel Kuhnreich finished with 24 for the Lions.