The Sid Jacobson JCC Jammers, a fifth grade Division I team returned for its third year of play this week in the Super League at Island Garden in West Hempstead. Coming off a very strong Spring Season as a LI Lightning (AAU) entry, the team picked up right where it left off coasting to a 33-15 victory over one of the other Lightning teams (LIL-Rasco) on Nov 7.

Back on May 6, LIL-Rasco upset the Jammers in a close early round game in the LIL Div II Tournament and the Jammers were eyeing the calendar looking forward to this rematch for the past six months. The game did not live up to the hype as the Jammers controlled the boards and controlled the pace in this easy victory.

Coached by David Rothman and Jeff Gould, the team plays an intelligent, up-tempo brand of basketball. Their exciting style of play combined with their enthusiasm contributes mightily to their league leading average attendance figures (the fabulous post game meals don't hurt either).

The Jammers perhaps a little rusty after the long summer break and without the benefit (logistic problems) of their usual grueling pre-season camp (a mere three practices versus upwards of ten in each of the prior two years) started cautiously and mostly stayed in a half-court deny man-to-man defense while generally settling for outside jump shots against the tough Rasco 2-3 zone. Both teams were feeling their way in the early going when Eli Rousso hit the first of his two three-pointers from way downtown. That seemed to spark the Jammers who quickly ran to a nine-point lead, which they took, into the locker room at the half.

The second half seemed like a different game as the Jammers really turned up the heat. Defensively, their opponents wilted from the full court pressure and the many different looks thrown at them. Offensively, the Jammers exhibited their versatility by showing a deft touch from the outside to complement their strong inside game. Forced to abandon their zone, Rasco was then susceptible to the precise backdoor cuts the Jammers make a living on. In the fourth quarter with the game easily in hand, the Jammers largely went to a 4-corner delay offense and watched the clock wind down to a victory.

Center Andrew Wolfe led all scoring with 8 points. The Jammers' electrifying full-court pressure combined with their lethal fast break had their opponents back on their heels most of the afternoon and this opened up the perimeter for Rousso (6 points), Jason Clark (5), Michael Lefcort (4), Michael Shenfeld (4), Keith Gould (2), and Jonathan Peck (2). Lucas Schulman, playing limited minutes due to a ripped tendon in his thumb, added some interior toughness and Michael Kobrick, despite jamming a finger in the early going, led the attack. Ben Rothman (broken collarbone) and Ethan Back (unavailable) did not play. Back is expected back for the next game.

The Jammers' next game is against the formidable St. Peter's November 23 at 7:15 at 6 p.m. at Island Garden. Tickets are still available at the Island Garden Box Office.