Playoffs?!?! Playoffs?!?! That’s right, it’s Poleyeff time (named after our Commish, Tzvika Poleyeff) on NCSY Kollel!! Both the basketball and hockey playoffs are off to an exciting start, with quarterfinal games being played tomorrow.
With the increase in league size to 32 teams this year for basketball, the poleyeff field was expanded to include the top 16 seeds, with the NIT Tournament including the remaining 16. The first round proved to be an exciting one as 3 higher seeds were upset, including both the 4 and 5 seeds. The Prime Ministers (1) showed why they’re the top seed in their defeat of Kops and Burglers (16), setting up a second round matchup with JoSackic (9) after their upset of Hirschey Flavored Tabako (8). The Mehlman (2) beat Jed-Eiz (15) convincingly, and they’re slated to play Ciment Brick Layers (7), who took down Frisch Rabbis (10). Eye of the Tiger (3) were tested by Shooting Blanks (14), but they ultimately pulled out the victory by 2 points. They’ll see DOBO (Director of Basketball Operations) Yisroel Benovitz and Bak at it Again… (6), owners of by far the most convincing first round victory, an 82-40 defeat of MiLobCity (11). The two biggest upsets of the day both came in down-to-the-wire thrillers. The first saw a blown 13-point lead, a late game-tying 3, and two clutch free throws by Leo Rubin in the final seconds that put Where is Faivish (13) into the next round over Kermit the Fish (4). The other upset came down to the final moments as Efraim Saks’ halfcourt shot rimmed out at the buzzer to see Wex Marks the Spot (12) advance over Young Wild and Free (5). The combination of those upsets ensures that there will be a double-digit seed in the semifinals, as the 12 and the 13 will meet in the quarters.
The NIT Tournament also saw its share of first round excitement. Wounded Warriors (30) beat Sephardi Party (19) in an instant NIT Classic, a 50-49 OT victory, and The Benchwarmers (31) provided the day’s biggest upset in their win over Bennie Sanders (18). The biggest story of the day however, was Yerushalayim, Senter of the World (21), led by Rabbi Lebowitz, and their 12-point victory over Florida Fishmen (28), despite being down a player and playing the entire game 4 on 5. Elsewhere in the bracket, The Danish Pastry Shop (29) defeated Two Much Wain (20), and Persins of the Book (22) beat Fied Me Bergers (27) to advance. Gold-man Saks (17) and Berlin Bralers (24) set up a second round meeting with their victories over “Louk, I am Your Father” (32) and String of Fine Pearls (25), respectively, and Golden Horns (23) beat Blooming Greens (26) to move on.
Finally, the hockey Poleyeffs began with two tight play-in games for the final two quarterfinal spots. After the first 6 seeds received automatic byes to the Final 8, the bottom 4 teams played for their chance to join the main bracket. Commish Tzvika Poleyeff and Tub (10) squeezed out a 2-1 win over Hook (7) to set up a matchup with 2-time champion Sam Gelman and Squeegee (2). Meanwhile, Chaim Portal scored 4 minutes into OT to push Curtain (9) past Drain (8) 1-0 and set up their matchup with the top-seeded Shower (1). Dude (3) and Loofa (6) will also face off, with Sink (4) and Soap Rack (5) rounding out the field of 8.
Everyone is gearing up for an exciting second round as we get closer to naming league champions!!