Wild Finish! DRS Wildcats Survive Double Overtime Thriller Against Fearless CESJDS Lions, 73–66!

What a game. The Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School Lions, the 14th seed, came in as heavy underdogs — but they left the court having earned everyone’s respect after taking the 3rd-seeded DRS Wildcats to double overtime in one of the most electrifying battles of the tournament. In the end, DRS prevailed 73–66, but not before surviving a relentless fight that had the crowd on its feet until the final buzzer.

For DRS, it was the dynamic duo of Y. Bennett and G. Spodek who carried the load. Bennett was nothing short of spectacular, pouring in 36 points, hitting clutch shots from everywhere on the floor, and delivering when it mattered most. Spodek added 21 points, including several key buckets in the extra periods that kept DRS alive. E. Tsaidi chipped in 11 points, battling foul trouble but coming through in crucial moments.

But the story of the night was the heart of the Lions. C. Blumenthal was electric, scoring 31 points in a heroic effort that nearly willed CESJDS to a historic upset. D. Shank added 14, and J. Fisher and C. Mont combined for 12 as the Lions refused to back down from one of the tournament’s top teams.

The game swung back and forth all night — regulation ended tied, overtime couldn’t settle it, and fatigue set in as both teams traded haymakers in double OT. Ultimately, DRS’s depth and composure carried them through, with Bennett’s leadership sealing the win in the final minutes.

The final score — DRS 73, CESJDS 66 — tells only part of the story. The Lions’ near-upset will go down as one of the tournament’s most memorable performances, and the Wildcats march on knowing they survived a true test of heart, grit, and resilience.

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