After losing to the DRS Wildcats in the regular season finale 65-51, few people gave the sixth seed YDE Thunder any chance for a victory in the first round of the playoffs. But to the surprise of many, the Thunder pulled of a 40-26 upset of the third seed Wildcats.

 

 

 

The focus for YDE coming into the game was to try and contain the outside shooting of DRS. They were able to hold the Wildcats to a total of eight points for a 15-8 halftime lead. The Thunder built that lead on the outside shooting of Alan Dweck (7pts) and inside play of Ohrel Bolour (4pts).

 

 

 

Going into the third quarter, YDE knew that DRS was going to make their run and they did. The turning point of the game came with 6:45 left with DRS at the foul line down one. After the miss, the ball was battered around and got in the hands of Eliyhau Cohen (10 points) who was able to drive and hit a layup while getting fouled. The three-point play extended the lead to 28-24.

 

 

 

The Thunder was able to close out the final 9:15 game with a 15-2 run. The play of Joey Mishanie (10pts), Elliot Faham (5pts) and a timely layup by Albert Abadi (4pts) gave the Thunder this hard fought victory.

 

It doesn’t get any easier for YDE as they now take on the number one seed Frisch Cougars (11-0).