HAFTR Hawks Shock Ohr Hatorah Thunder to Capture Tier II Championship, 44–39

In a gritty defensive battle that came down to the wire, the #6 HAFTR Hawks soared past the #1 Ohr Hatorah Thunder 44–39 to capture the Tier II Championship. It was a statement win for a team that refused to be intimidated by the bracket’s top seed — and one that will be remembered for its toughness, composure, and clutch execution.

From the opening tip, it was clear this wasn’t going to be a shootout. Both teams brought energy on defense, contesting every shot and battling for every loose ball. HAFTR established their tone early behind star forward Asher Freundlich, who was unstoppable inside and out, pouring in 17 points while controlling the tempo on both ends of the court.

Nate Mayer followed with 12 points, hitting key jumpers to keep the Hawks ahead in the second half, while Matthew Schein (8 points) provided timely scoring and hustle plays that gave HAFTR the edge down the stretch.

For Ohr Hatorah, the Thunder lived up to their name — loud, explosive, and relentless — but couldn’t quite strike when it mattered most. Tournament standout Toby Levy led the way again with 13 points, attacking the rim with aggression despite constant defensive pressure. Yaacov Perez (8 points) and Eli Zoldan (7 points) chipped in to keep the Thunder within striking distance, but turnovers and missed opportunities in the final minutes proved costly.

The closing moments were tense: with under a minute to go, Freundlich hit a clutch floater to push the lead to five, and the Hawks’ defense held strong as Ohr Hatorah’s last attempts fell short.

As the buzzer sounded, the HAFTR bench exploded in celebration — a fitting end to their Cinderella run through the Tier II bracket. From an underdog seed to tournament champions, the Hawks proved that grit, teamwork, and belief can silence even the loudest Thunder.

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