By DRS Athletics
The 2025 MYHSAL Varsity Basketball Championship delivered the matchup everyone had anticipated — the #1 seed in the Eastern Conference, the DRS Wildcats (coached by Moshe Cohen) and led by star players Tzvi Tsaidi and Joe Aaron (the eventual game MVP), facing off against the #1 seed in the West, the TABC Storm (coached by Coach Oz) and their standout senior phenomenon, Eyal Kinderlehrer.
The Wildcats came out aggressive, starting the game on a 16-3 run and holding TABC to just one made field goal by the end of the first quarter. Their defense was locked in, forcing turnovers and tough shots. DRS extended their lead to as much as 17 points at 22-5 midway through the second quarter and went into halftime up 12 with a commanding 30-18 lead.
Despite the early struggles, the Storm came out energized in the third quarter. Behind the leadership of Kinderlehrer and junior Akiva Borgen, TABC stormed back, cutting into the Wildcats’ lead. Kinderlehrer and Borgen scored several clutch baskets, and the momentum began shifting toward the Storm as they outscored DRS in the third quarter, at one point cutting the deficit to 1, and heading into the 4th down 8.
Kinderlehrer erupted for 15 points in the fourth quarter, giving the Storm a chance to complete the comeback. With seconds left, Yonah Mandel drilled a clutch three-pointer to tie the game at 55-55, sending it into overtime.
In the overtime period, DRS took control by scoring the first eight points, with key contributions from Michael Solomon, Tsaidi, and Yitz Bennett. Despite TABC's push to close the gap, Aaron calmly sank two clutch free throws in the final seconds, securing the Wildcats' victory.
This championship marks the third MYHSAL varsity title for DRS, with previous wins in 2013 and 2016, cementing their place among the league’s elite programs.
Final Score:
DRS Wildcats 66, TABC Storm 63 (OT)