11-8-2015 | JDS Lions Ground Flatbush Falcons, 50-34

11-8-2015 | JDS Lions Ground Flatbush Falcons, 50-34

By: Shmuel Perl

The first Tier 1 game on Sunday morning featured the #5 JDS Lions battling the #7 Flatbush Falcons. The first half was a back and forth battle with neither team able to really pull away at any point. The Lions were unable to convert on some easy opportunities and as a result allowed Flatbush to get some easy points and take a three point lead three quarters of the way through the half. However, JDS quickly countered with a Bryan Knapp three which allowed them to tie the game back up. Both teams scored again and with less than three minutes left in the half the score was 17-17. JDS, who finally had found their offensive groove, made a clutch three with 1:33 left to give themselves their first lead of the second quarter. However, a bucket by Kevin Haddad with twenty seconds left tied the game going into halftime.

Flatbush scored the first basket of the third quarter, but the Lions countered when Bryan Knapp forced two turnovers and turned them into four points. Louis Zarif scored for the Falcons on their next possession, but Knapp, who was absolutely on fire, came right back with a basket for JDS. Knapp then scored two more times, and Daniel Kuhnreich added a three to give the Lions a nine point lead at the end of third quarter. The JDS defense was excellent in the third quarter which was the main reason why they got out a 33-24 lead.

Flatbush came out hot in the fourth, scoring two quick baskets to cut the lead to five. However, a few minutes later, Bryan Knapp converted on a three point play and Zev Stravis dropped in a layup to give JDS its first double digit lead of the game. JDS then scored again, and added some free throws to give them a 14 point lead. Flatbush did get their first bucket in a while toward the end of the game, but some more free throws from JDS iced it for the Lions. The final score was 50-34 JDS, who were led by the play of superstar point guard, Bryan Knapp with 23 points. The Falcons were led by Yoel Goldberg with 7 points.