Ramat Hasharon Upsets Defending Champions in Thrilling Quarterfinal

Ramat Hasharon Secures Spot in Semifinals

In a surprising turn of events at the high school basketball championship, Ramat Hasharon emerged victorious against the defending champions, Ketzaleon Kfar Saba, with a final score of 89-84. The nail-biting quarterfinal match, held on December 25, 2025, showcased a fierce competition that remained undecided until the last moments.

Match Highlights

The quarterfinals of the championship, organized by the Sports Association for Schools in Israel, employed a knockout format, accompanied by additional survival matches to determine the advancing teams. Ramat Hasharon, which had recently ascended from the Upper Galilee high school championship, faced off against Kfar Saba- a perennial powerhouse that has held the championship title.

In a standout performance, Jonathan Shanker from Ramat Hasharon led his team with impressive stats of 19 points and 7 assists, earning the accolade of the game’s MVP. His contribution proved vital in Ramat Hasharon’s first-time advancement to the semifinals of the national championship.

Other Quarterfinal Results

Alongside the main event, three additional quarterfinals and two survival games took place, yielding the following results:

• The multi-disciplinary team from Emek Harod triumphed over the Gymnasium in Rishon Lezion, with a score of 74-65.
• Tel Aviv’s New High School defeated Herzliya’s Makif Hayovel with a convincing 81-55 result.
• Ramat Yam overcame Metro West Raanana, wrapping up the game at 88-55.

Upcoming Semifinals

The semifinals are set to occur next Thursday, January 1, where the teams will vie for a place in the finals. In the survival games, Leich triumphed in overtime against Leo Beck Haifa with a score of 92-90, while Reali Haifa narrowly defeated Ginzburg Yavne, finishing 76-70.

Roi Levin, the basketball coordinator at the Sports Association for Schools, expressed his enthusiasm: “Congratulations to the teams reaching the Final Four-New High School, Ramat Yam, Emek Harod, and the teams advancing to the semi-finals. The quarterfinal stage delivered high-quality and exhilarating games. The students demonstrated their skills in tightly contested matches, showcasing impressive discipline and teamwork. The championship continues to serve as a significant platform for educational and athletic excellence, and we look forward to the high-caliber semifinals ahead.”