Scheck Hillel beats Archimedean to reach state final four for third time in four seasons
Netty Silberman has scored his share of meaningful goals during his four years on the Scheck Hillel boys’ soccer team.
Two of his most clutch scores came Saturday night.
Silberman found the back of the net twice in the final nine minutes of the match to lift Scheck Hillel to a dramatic 2-0 victory over Archimedean in the Region 4-1A final at the Lions’ Rok Field.
Hillel (16-0-1) advanced to the state final four for the third time in the past four seasons and will play Community School of Naples on Monday at 7:30 p.m. in a Class 1A state semifinal. The Lions are chasing their first state title in the sport.
“I really think with this group we can finally win state,” Silberman said. “We couldn’t have done this without our fans and the way they cheer for us every game and give us a true home-field advantage.”
Catching Archimedean’s defense off guard as goalkeeper Gus Altamari came several yards out of the goal box, Silberman took possession of the ball. He then fired a high-arching shot that bounced off Altamari’s hands and into the goal.
“The goalie came out and it looked like he slipped,” Silberman said. “I was on the 40-yard line and I tried to slip it over him and thankfully it went in.”
After Archimedean failed to score on a couple of attempts at the other end, Silberman cashed in again during stoppage time to seal the outcome.
“Netty is my best player and I told him at halftime just take chances,” Scheck Hillel coach Ben Magidson said. “I told him it’s the last time he will play on his home field so go out with no regrets and he responded.”
Silberman is one of five seniors who have been a part of Hillel’s successful run the past four years, becoming one of the county’s best teams.
“This is great after all the hard work and practices,” Silberman said. “From the beginning, this has been the only thing on our minds. We want to finally make school history.”
BOYS’ BASKETBALL
Tyler Halfaker tipped the ball into the basket at the buzzer to lift the Westminster Christian boys’ basketball team over Gulliver Prep 62-60 in a thrilling District 16-4A final on Saturday night.
After the Warriors (19-7) took a 14-point lead into halftime, the Raiders were able to come back out and tie the score at 60, but Halfaker had the last word.
Senior Justin Brown had 26 points, five assists and three steals for the Warriors.
Victor Uyaelumno had eight points, 13 rebounds and six blocks for the Raiders in losing effort.
▪ District 16-4A Final — Westminster Christian 62, Gulliver 60: GP: R. Heckaman 1, J. Mashburn 6 , J. Perez 12 , E. Silbermon 3, S. Uyaelunmo 15, J. Jackson 15, V. Uyaelunmo 8. WC (19-7): J. Brown 26, J. Raine 6, K. Paicely 9, R. Stewart 2, J. Wright 4, J. Avery 5, T. Halfaker 10, J. Square 4. HT: 35-21 WCS. Three-Pointers: J. Perez 2, J. Avery. Rebounds: J. Square 5, J. Raine 5. Assists: K.Paicely 7. Steals: J. Avery 3.
▪ District 15-3A Final — Archbishop Carroll 76, Greater Miami 40: AC: Silva 27, Garcia 12, Anglada 10, Villamil 8, Miralles 6, Deribeaux 6, Fred 3, Aarestrup 2, Cordero 1, Barbic 1. GM: S. Garcia 15, K. Perez 8, Butler 7, C. Garcia 5, Connell 2, R. Perez 2, Bryan 1. HT: AC 50-24. Rebounds: Garcia 4, Fred 4. Assists: Anglada 6, Cordero 6. Steals: Cordero 7. Three pointers: Silva 6, Villamil 2, Miralles 2, Deribeaux 2, Fred, Butler, Garcia.
▪ Late Friday, District 16-8A — Coral Reef 54, Homestead 49: CR: Ruiz 7, Boria 5, Vreones 12, Arabitg 5, Bryan 13, Holcombe 12. Rebounds: Boria 8, Bryan 6. Steals: Bryan 4. Assists: Ruiz 3.
BASEBALL
▪ Coral Reef 11, South Miami 2: WP: Jake Sheeder. Top Performers: Nick Carballo HR. Randy Joseph 2H. Tyler Everett 2H.
This story was originally published February 6, 2016 at 11:46 PM with the headline "Scheck Hillel beats Archimedean to reach state final four for third time in four seasons."