On Thursday, December 19, the Ramaz Rams JV basketball team traveled to Teaneck to face the undefeated TABC Storm in a highly anticipated matchup. Despite a fast start from TABC, the Rams showcased their resilience, using a 28-7 extended run and key stops late in the game to come out victorious, 41-38.
The game began with TABC taking control early, jumping out to an 11-4 lead. A three-pointer from Zachy Lowe, assisted by Tani Stein, followed by eight points from freshman phenoms Stein and Ezra Adams—three transition layups from Stein and a tough turnaround jumper from Adams—put the Storm in the driver’s seat. However, that would be the last time both Stein and Adams scored, as Ramaz’s defense locked them down, leading them to shoot a combined 0/10 over the next three quarters.
Ramaz stayed in the game early with a solid defensive effort and a balanced attack, led by Jared Miller, who drew three fouls at the bottom of the TABC 2-3 zone and went 4/6 from the free-throw line in the first period. The Rams took their first lead late in the first, as Noah Hiltzik hit three-pointers on consecutive possessions.
TABC’s Sammy Haberman hit a tough midrange jumper in the final seconds of the quarter to give the Storm a 13-12 advantage. That would be their last field goal for the next 12 minutes. The Storm’s only points in the second quarter came from freshman Josh Neiss, who hit two free throws. Meanwhile, Ramaz went on a 9-0 run to close the half, with baskets from four different players, and headed into the break up 22-15.
The second half saw Ramaz continue to build on their momentum. Emanuel Kushner attacked the Storm’s zone and netted two layups, pushing the Ram lead to 26-15 early in the third. TABC responded with a Lowe and-one, but the Rams answered quickly, with Hiltzik hitting two more threes to stretch their advantage to 32-18. TABC fought back, with Lowe hitting another three, and then a five-man line change by TABC helped trim the lead to 32-25 after three quarters.
The final period was full of drama. A spinning layup by David Kranzler early in the fourth capped a 9-0 run and brought the Storm within 5 points. However, Hiltzik once again responded with a clutch three-pointer, his sixth of the game, to keep the Rams in control. Haberman answered with a midrange jumper and an offensive rebound that led to a free throw, bringing TABC within striking distance.
With the TABC pressure ramped up, the Rams stayed composed. Edward Ash delivered a key assist to Miller for a layup to put Ramaz up by 7. Haberman kept the Storm alive though, as he scored eight straight of TABC’s points. First he put back another offensive rebound, and shortly after that he canned a huge three, bringing the Storm within two.
In the final frantic minutes, the Rams had multiple turnovers, but got timely defensive stops and hit crucial free throws. With 15 seconds left, Ramaz led 40-35. Lowe hit an extremely difficult trey to once again bring the Storm within two points. After Hiltzik hit one of two free throws, TABC had a final chance to tie the game, but Neiss' three-point attempt at the buzzer missed, securing the victory for the Rams.
Hiltzik led all scorers with 20 points, shooting 6/12 from 3, while Ash dished out 6 assists and played elite defense. Kushner was a defensive force with 6 blocks, and the Rams totaled 8 rejections as a unit. Lowe and Haberman paced TABC with 12 and 10 points, respectively. With the win, Ramaz improves to 5-2 on the season and heads into their winter vacation with momentum. Their next game is set for January 9th at JEC. TABC, now 6-1, will look to regroup as they continue their season on Monday night against 6-1 Frisch in a battle for first place.
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