Photos by Ms. R. Gina Renee

Joel Gutovitz drives past the defense.

This season, “H-B-H-A, H-B-H-A all the way” has been one of many chants heard around the Kansas City metro area, in support of the Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy’s Varsity boys basketball team. So far this season, the Rams have a solid record of ten wins and seven loses. Coaches Eric Stamps and John Jacobs provide leadership and coaching to the boys Varsity team.  Jacob Margolies and Max Sosland are the Senior Captains for the Rams this season.

On Jan. 14, the Rams played an away game at Tri City Christian in Independence, Missouri. It was a tough game between the Rams and the Tri City Crusaders. The Rams led the Crusaders by one point at the end of the first half. The Rams pulled out a great win outscoring the Crusaders 39-33. Senior captain Jacob Margolies was the high scorer of the game for the Rams with ten points.

The Rams hosted the Grandview Christian Golden Eagles on Jan. 16. The Rams ended the first half leading the Golden Eagles 29-26. With three minutes left in the game, the Rams and Golden Eagles were tied at 43-43. With a very exciting fourth quarter, the Rams pulled out a great win at 51-50. The Rams have defeated the Golden Eagles twice this season by one point in each game. Junior Joel Gutovitz led the Rams in scoring with 13 points.

Zach Kreisler focuses on his free-throw shot. 

On Jan. 23, the Rams traveled to Raytown, Missouri to play the Blue Ridge Christian Warriors. It was a tough atmosphere, along with a band and a loud crowd. The Rams fought hard but were defeated 54-74 by the Warriors. At home, the Rams played the Independence Home School Lions. It was yet another loss for the Rams but a close game throughout the second half. The final score was 61-73. Rams high scorers for the night were Junior Joel Gutovitz with 17 points and Senior Matthew Kavanaugh with 16 points.

The Rams experienced two tough losses in a row to Independence Home School and Midland Adventist Academy on Jan. 25 and 28. On Jan. 30 the Rams defeated the Alta Vista Aztecs 43-28. The Rams outscored Ozanam 69-52 on Feb. 1. Senior Captain Jacob Margolies was the high scorer of the game for the Rams with 17 points.

The Rams defeated the Kansas School for the Deaf 52-48 on Feb. 6 at home. The Rams experienced a tough home game loss to the Christ Prep Academy Patriots on Feb. 8. The Patriots led the Rams 24-29 at the end of the first half. The Rams were defeated 49-73.

Senior Captain Max Sosland is pleased with the season so far. “I think we have really progressed as a team throughout this season. I knew coming into this season, leadership would not be an issue because of our five seniors and each and everyone of us have developed our skills dramatically and found a comfortable chemistry with each other” said Sosland.

Senior Jacob Pellegrino also has an optimistic view about the season thus far. “Despite losing five games we’ve been working very hard and we continue to improve,” said Pellegrino. “At 10-7 there are a couple of tough losses but none that we can’t win the second time around. I’m also very excited to participate in the tournament in New York.”

The Rams had a long season this year. There are two games and a tournament still to be played in the rest of February. The Rams will also travel to New York to participate in the Red Saracheck Tournament, held at Yeshiva University at the end of March.