Yavneh Rallies Late to Earn TAPPS Crown
By Mike Waters / Contributor
WACO — Akiba Yavneh Academy took “finishing strong” to another level in their TAPPS boys basketball championship game on Thursday.
The Bulldogs closed on a 16-1 run as part of a late comeback to capture the 3A title with a 55-45 victory over Waco Live Oak. Down five early in the fourth quarter, Yavneh head coach Zachary Pollack called a timeout that changed the course of the game.
“We made some defensive adjustments during the timeout,” Pollack said. “We went to a combination of a 2-3 and 3-2 zone. We call it our ‘Warrior’ defense.”
The smothering Yavneh defense did not allow a basket the remainder of the game as Live Oak was limited to making just one free throw. Leading the Bulldogs on defense was junior guard Brendy Eber, who came up with three steals down the stretch.
A trio of three-point baskets — two from junior Aeden Haviv and one by sophomore Jake Yalovsky — fueled a fast Yavneh start, as it held a 15-9 advantage after the opening quarter.
Haviv also totaled 15 points in the victory, and along with Darren Sacher and Eber, were selected to the all-tournament team. The Bulldogs knocked down seven 3-pointers total.
“I felt coming into the game we needed to make some threes,” Pollack said. “And keep their shooters from making threes, which we did a good job of executing most of the game.”
The Bulldogs (21-9) later extended a 26-16 halftime advantage to 14 points early in the third period. But Live Oak’s 20-5 run left the Bulldogs trailing by one headed to the final quarter.
That set the stage for the amazing finish that culminated with the second-ever TAPPS state crown in boys basketball for the Jewish Modern Orthodox college prep school, the first coming in 2020. The Bulldogs were making their seventh overall state tournament appearance, all since 2017.
“A dream come true,” said Sacher, who recorded 15 points, nine rebounds, three assists and one steal in the championship victory. “Since my freshman year, we have come close a few times. This is just so amazing to finish like this.”
The win capped an impressive playoff run for Yavneh, which ousted district foe Lakehill in the state semifinals and Abilene Christian before that.
The Falcons (29-7), who were riding a 25-game win streak entering the title matchup, were making their debut at state. They were led by senior Tristan Wilson — the program’s all-time leading scorer — who totaled 17 points, including 14 in a red-hot third quarter.
