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TI Basketballers Drop Spirited Finale.........posted Mar 16, 2008

The Tikvat Israel basketball team closed out its 2008 season with a nailbiter loss in the third round of the post-season playoffs in the Montgomery County synagogue basketball league.

Despite being down to the Shaare Torah 40-24 at halftime, TI staged a furious rally in the second half of its game on March 16. The switch from zone to man-to-man defense frustrated the higher-seeded opponents. With big contributions from Will Hochman, Mark Bardeski, Jon Urban and David Blum, TI tied the game at 57 with two minutes to go and then went ahead 59-57.

However, two tough baskets from the other team's best player in the final minute was enough for Shaare Torah to eke out the win, 63-61.

Also making a big contribution for TI was Lior Golan.

The contest ended a disappointing 2008 season, according to Coach Warren Berger. TI finished 0-9 in the regular season.

Said Berger in analyzing the campaign: "We often had a good first half but then we would wear down in the second half. Other teams' height always seemed to be the difference down the stretch. We lost by eight points in the first game of the year, but couldn't get closer than that the rest of the way."

In the first round of the playoffs, TI won a single-elimination game against the 5th seed Oseh Shalom B, 37-32. TI was the 12th seed. The team was coached by Bruce Ginsburg becauee Berger was out of town.

"Bruce drew inspiration from his mentor Gary Williams (coach of University of Maryland men?s team) and guided the team to victory," said Berger. "Will Hochman was on fire, hitting 3-point shots from all over the court. Our opponents couldn't cover him and he kept finding holes in the zone and using good picks. We also got many points from Mark Bardeski and David Blum. Lior Golan played a strong game on the boards and Jon Urban ran the point well."

In a second-round playoff the same morning, TI played a close game against the 4th seed and only lost 75-68. This put the TI squad in the third round for a consolation match.