YESHIVA LEAGUE
Magen David 57 Flatbush 48 OT
In the first title game matchup between these rivals - and the first between any Brooklyn teams in 39 years - the #1 Warriors (35-2) rallied from 8 down in the 3rd quarter and dominated the extra period to win the school’s fourth MYHSAL championship before a packed house at Yeshiva University. It was the 21st straight win for Magen David and their fourth win over the #2 Falcons (24-5) in five tries this season.
The Warriors used a 16-4 run to take a 42-38 lead with 3:01 left but a 3-point play by Beni Keda and a jumper by Albert Khaski put the Falcons back up. Magen David retook the lead with :33 left on a pull-up by Mark Sardar. After an exchange of possessions, Flatbush stole an inbounds pass and Ronnie Chaaya was fouled with :08 left. Just like he did in the semifinal against North Shore, Chaaya hit the second of two free throws to force overtime.
Moses Smeke, who transfered from Hillel for his senior year for a shot at a title, had six of his game-high 13 points in overtime as the Warriors outscored Flatbush 13-4. Sardar added 12 points for Magen David and Jack Haber had 10. For the Falcons, Chaaya and Beni Keda scored 12 each and Isaac Cooper added 10.
Magen David previously won league titles in 2003, 2006 and 2018. The last time two Brooklyn teams vied for the championship was in 1985, when Sephardic and Abie Dweck topped Flatbush.
Magen David and Flatbush could still face each other a sixth time this season if they meet at the Sarachek Tournament. Flatbush’s only win in the series this year came in the Cooper Invitational final. The Warriors had beaten the Falcons in the final of the Magen David preseason tournament and in both regular season games.