Lions Roar Past JEC Thunder to Claim Tier II Bronze, 53–42

The #2 CESJDS Lions bounced back in style, capturing third place in Tier II with a 53–42 win over the #4 JEC Thunder. After a rollercoaster tournament that saw both teams come up short of championship hopes, this matchup offered a shot at redemption — and CESJDS made the most of it.

From the start, the Lions looked determined to finish strong. Theo Pearlman was the star of the show, dropping 16 points and setting the tone with aggressive drives and confident shooting. His offensive spark helped CESJDS take control early and never look back. Jesse Fisher added 11 points with steady perimeter play, while Cyrus Blumenthal chipped in 9, helping the Lions maintain balance and poise throughout.

Tani Simkovich (5 points) and Matthew Stillman (4 points) played key supporting roles, combining solid defense with timely baskets that kept JEC at bay.

The Thunder, however, weren’t ready to roll over. They mounted several comeback pushes behind a trio of consistent scorers — Binyamin Dombeck, JJ Leonorovitz, and Ashi Strauss — each finishing with 8 points. Their effort cut the Lions’ lead to single digits late in the game, but CESJDS’s composure and free-throw shooting down the stretch sealed the result.

For the Lions, the win capped off a resilient weekend defined by disciplined defense and balanced team play. For JEC, despite the loss, the young squad showed grit and flashes of brilliance that point to a bright future.

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