MTA LIONS Roar Past Beren Hebrew Academy STARS, 78-36

The first Tier 2 game on Friday morning featured the #3 seed MTA Lions against the #6 seed Beren Stars. The odds were not in Beren Academy’s favor as they entered the game against MTA, though that did not discourage them. MTA began the game with a need for speed and started off with an absolutely crushing 31-point lead. MTA’s Jacob Abenaim and Efraim Avramov spearheaded the offensive onslaught, combining for an impressive 28 points between the two of them alone. Their dominance set the tone early, allowing MTA to showcase their depth by playing every player on the roster throughout the four quarters of the game.

Though MTA’s lead may have seemed insurmountable, the Beren Academy Stars refused to slow down. Employing a relentless full-court press and firing off numerous three-point attempts, they worked tirelessly to narrow the gap, though their efforts ultimately fell short. Among the Beren highlights was Rafi Miller, who led the team in scoring with 18 points, while his teammate Leeroy Tobul anchored the defense with a gritty determination that helped hold back some of MTA’s offensive firepower. Despite the uphill battle, the Stars continued to push forward, showing remarkable spirit and resilience.

MTA, in turn, kept their momentum alive, skillfully rotating their bench and maintaining their high lead. Each player on the roster contributed to the effort, taking turns shooting three-pointers and confidently driving up and down the court, showing no sign of faltering. Their teamwork and precision exemplified why they were one of the top seeds in their tier. As the fourth quarter rolled around, the refs opted to run the clock, but the intensity of the game never wavered. Beren refused to let the lopsided scoreboard dampen their defensive tenacity, setting picks and running plays with purpose, demonstrating their refusal to back down. Their determination and grit were evident, and they left everything on the court despite the odds. In the end, the game concluded with a 78-36 loss for Beren Academy, but their fight and refusal to quit served as a testament to their character and competitive spirit. The Lions were led by Jacob Abenaim with 10 points who move into the Tier 2 semi-finals on Saturday night, while the Stars move into the Tier 2 consolation breacket.