A piece of history

In 1905, the first Hebrew high school was established in Jaffa, and after a few years when it moved to Herzl Street in Tel Aviv, it received the name of the State Contract and has since been called the "Hebrew Gymnasium Herzliya". A peace tower was erected.

Ron Huldai was one of the directors of the gymnasium before he was elected mayor.

And why is all this relevant to basketball?

Because in the tiny sports hall of the gymnasium, until recently, for many years, the youth department of Maccabi Tel Aviv Basketball operated.

The area of ​​the court is smaller than the legal dimensions, so the base of the arc of three is almost close to the longitude and it was not possible to score three from the corner unless you have a shoe size smaller than 38.

This made the hall something special and magical, and one of the most homely pitches, and Maccabi Tel Aviv rarely loses in it at all ages. (Thanks to the loyal reader Raanan Allergand).

And back to the future: Last night, Bnei Herzliya used its small hall to make a gymnasium for Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Wilbkin encounters a checkpoint in Herzliya, Photo: Alan Shiver

The small advantage

The small hall at Yuval High School in Herzliya produces a different game than the one in Yad Eliyahu.

The dimensions of the plot itself are the same (checked with the competent authorities), but everything around produces a different intensity, especially when the hall is as crowded as it was this time.

The air is compressed, there are almost no free spaces, people are sitting on the lines.

One must know how to take advantage of this homeliness, and Herzliya has indeed taken full advantage of it.

Fast and aggressive play from the start was key, and the habit of sniping into home baskets was the big change that Chris Bab demonstrated between games.

In a small hall where you feel at home, your whole body is more reset, and Bab was bazing from the start, like wanting to atone for his weak 1st game.

When the first lash came in, he had already thrown away the logo and had not missed.

For shots, habits are the critical part, and when the panoramic image you capture in the split second you look at the basket sells to you from thousands of practice shots, the aiming is reset and the hand registers another three.

In addition - Herzliya has always been a "nice" place for guest groups because the crowd was culturally and relaxed there.

Well, the honor goes to the management of Herzliya who filled the hall and made it a place that Maccabi did not like to play.

An important part of the result.

Herzliya fans helped make a difference, Photo: Alan Shiber

Size advantage

As written here after Game 1, Herzliya is a more talented and diverse team than Maccabi.

And first of all it is a tall and athletic team, with a physical advantage in almost every chap.

And so she controls the rebound, and every free kick goes to her.

Four players took more than six rebounds, Onwako, Kemp, Van Wallit and even Hooker from the center position.

This is the only team that Maccabi were like grasshoppers in their eyes: the rebound balance 41:27, and under the basket of Herzliya complete control of white: 32: 4. 

The huge advantage in the defensive rebound allowed Herzliya to run and take advantage of the quality advantage in bursting attacks and passing.

And when you have big forwards (Van Velit) and athletics (Bab, Dawson and Kemp) you make better use of every numerical advantage and mistake in defense.

And the one who takes advantage of the size advantage is Chief Onwako, not necessarily under the baskets but to pull his shield out, clear the point, and deliver smart assists to his cutters, as he watches over the defense.

He gave one more assist from the coordinator (five in total), and if the members understood him better he had ten. Herzliya played like the landlady, dared, snatched, ran and sniped from all ranges. Like a big team.

Onoako (center).

Taking full advantage of its advantages, Photo: Oded Karni

The art of giving up

In the playoffs we usually do not get pleasing to the eye.

See strength, sweat, digs, elbows and knees.

But it is rare to get a game of dedication close to perfection, like the one Herzliya demonstrated in its peak moments, and scattered throughout the game.

Because she is more talented and she feels it, Herzliya depends on the ability to give up.

Give up a good shot for a better shot, give up penetration at the start of the attack to share more players during, give up the quick shot after an offensive rebound for a new shot clock.

In defense, too, sometimes you have to give up - give up a jump to block three shots (all of Onwako's offenses were on the three-point line), give up a slight spare and pass by force in the block, give up personal responsibility and keep a zone together.

And most importantly it is to give up the ego.

In Game 1, too many personal matters popped up over the team interest, and this time they seem to have been resolved for the most part (Sandy Cohen suds, Dawson a little less).

This is Oren Aharoni's main job: to make the players understand that if they succeed, there will be enough glory for everyone, and the only way to get there is "a team above all."

Aharoni and Ibn.

They both have mental work ahead of Wednesday, Photo: Alan Shiver

Thanks to the concessions, six players reached double digits, and Herzliya won 19:27 in assists.

For long periods it looks like a group in front of a collection of individuals.

It also allows for a more urgent and hectic rotation to cover the relatively short bench, perhaps Herzliya's only weak point.

It is also possible to add the waiver of Cooper and the return of Hooker.

This is already the job of the professional management, and yesterday Hooker began to mention the trophy period and justify the switch.   

Great Wednesday

In a series of three games, the second game inevitably becomes an elimination game for the loser.

But it's also an advantage - because you just have no choice, you're with your back to the wall, and must win or you'll end the season.

And now we come to the deciding game, with both teams with their backs to the wall.

History tells that "only" 10 teams came back from a 1: 0 deficit to a 1: 2 victory.

I did not understand the "only".

It's quite a bit, and it's possible.

Herzliya will not have the small advantage, but it will have the size advantage, and the team connection, and the ability to give up, which Oren Aharoni will work through through the heads of the players.

Onwako will give up jumping block, Sean Dawson will give up the ego completely, Bab will give up the shelling that will not go in Elijah's hand in the same way and will penetrate the basket as he showed he knows.

Williams.

The only bright spot in Maccabi, Photo: Alan Shiber

After leading 26 points over Maccabi, you know you can stand up to it.

Although it is still Maccabi, and it is at home.

But she looks exhausted, mostly mentally, after a lot of records this season, with some players not playing for the team (Nanali), Wilbkin centering but not looking too enthusiastic, and only Williams at the peak.

Herzliya arrives in perfect physical and psychological condition, and smears a historic double.

A high school diploma.    

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