The NYHS varsity basketball team entered the first stage playoffs on February 3 facing off against Redeemer Christian at Seattle Hebrew Academy. The varsity team won 76-35.

This game was one of the three games that the varsity team needed to win in order to get into the tri-district/district tournament, the second stage of the playoffs. If the team doesn’t win the third game, they go into a bonus game. If they win that bonus game they will make it to the next stage.

In the game, senior co-captain Evan Kaufthal, got a triple double, 10 plus points, 10 plus rebounds and 10 plus assists, in one single game. 

“It’s pretty rare on any level, but especially in high school basketball,” Steve Bunin, coach of the varsity team, said.

Half of the team was sick or out. “But because it was a little bit of a weaker opponent, we were able to still win,” Bunin said.

Since the team needed more players, Jonah Negrin, a sophomore in JV, played in the game.

“It was a very good opportunity and a growing experience,” Negrin said. “And I got to score my first points on varsity.”

The next game is on February 11 against Crosspoint Christian at 6 pm. This game decides if they move on to tri-districts, the next stage of the playoffs.

“I would say our chances of making the state are very good, as long as we take personal responsibility.” Bunin said.