At the end of the fourth quarter at the JV boys basketball game at Sandy Spring Friends School on Jan. 14, the bench went wild as freshman Alex Plotinsky scored his first basket all season, a three-pointer for the Lions. The Lions defeated the Wildebeests 67-19, maintaining their undefeated record this season.
During the first quarter, sophomore and captain Judah Trauben stole the ball from the Wildebeests and ran it up the court, scoring a layup. He credits this feat to preparation ahead of the game.
“We knew from the start of the game that Sandy would not be good at passing,” Trauben said. “So something that I was trying to do to get more involved in the game is I try to steal the ball, just kind of get a jump on the pass.”
The Lions were able to secure a lead of 21-4 at the end of the first quarter because of the ten points junior Isaac Yourman scored, as well as his defensive blocks. During this quarter, the Wildebeests went into the bonus to shoot free throws after the Lions fouled over five times.
In the second quarter, the Lions maintained their momentum, and ended the half with a score of 44-8. Among the points scored by the Lions, Yourman scored four points and freshman Hillel Goldberg scored a layup and free throw.
Head coach Matthew Landy attributes the Lion’s win to the players’ effort and teamwork.
“I think we’re really buying into our system and just playing really great team basketball,” Landy said.
After a few minutes of scoreless play in the third quarter, sophomore Aviv Stein scored a basket, ending the drought. In this quarter of the game, the difference in scores between the Lions and Wildebeests widened, and the quarter ended 57-11 Lions.
It was in the final quarter where Plotinsky scored his first points with the team. Freshman shooting guard Lior Zucker said this was a significant point for the team.
“That was really a wholesome moment for our team because, Alex, he hasn’t really been in the game that much this season,” Zucker said. “So when he has the opportunit[y to] shoot the ball, we wanna get that to him.”
After two more points for the Lions scored by freshman Eli Loeffler and more foul points for the Wildebeests, the game ended 67-19.
Landy says the Lions still have room for improvement. He hopes the team will continue their winning streak for the games to come.
“At the end of the day, we’re just looking to get better every single day that we’re together as a team, whether it’s in practice or game,” Landy said.