The Semifinals of the “Red and Dr. Murray’s” Israel Basketball League saw full-hearted, hard-played, all-out all battles between the league’s best, as Lobos faced Yak Pak, while Hawke & Co. took on Jerry’s Kids.
In the first game, Lobos started off playing more organized basketball, and their attack – led by team captain Aryeh Rudman – looked very sharp. The defending champs ran off to an early lead, and went into half time with a seemingly comfortable double digit advantage.
After the break, Yak Pak came out stronger and faster, and it quickly became apparent that the game was far from over. Inexorably, Yak Pak clawed their way back, tied the game, and with just a minute left to play took a one point lead. Lobos were not about to let their championship title slip away, however. Rudman once again came through in the clutch, scoring two huge three-pointers in the final minute, for a 47-45 Lobos victory, sending Lobos to their second straight championship game and giving them a chance for a back-to-back championship run.
In the second semifinal game, undefeated Hawke & Co. faced Jerry’s Kids. The game started out as a tight battle, with both teams playing very well. Hawke & Co’s superstar guard Yisrael Feld then took the game to another level, lighting up for 10 straight points, and the entire Hawke & Co. squad found an almost unbelievable shooting rhythm. Jerry’s Kids answered with an impressive display of their own, led by captain and star point guard Meir Schattner (26 points), but they could not keep pace with the red-hot Hawke offense, and Hawke & Co. ran away with a huge 71-48 victory.
Feld finished with a game-high 27 points, while Yitz Medlowitz kept the lead secure with a stunning barrage of three-pointers, sending Hawke & Co. to a highly-anticipated championship game against Lobos. The two teams met earlier in the season, in a highly-charged game that not only went to overtime, but was decided in Hawke & Co.’s favor on a controversial call at the buzzer.