Wild-Card Playoff Game Matches Friends as Foes

When it comes to the playoffs, Oak Park Coach Steve Goldstein finds there is no room on a basketball court for friendship.

Oak Park, which is making only its second playoff appearance in the school’s eight years, will play Montclair Prep on Wednesday in the wild-card round of the Southern Section 1-A Division playoffs.

Goldstein formerly assisted Montclair Prep Coach Howard Abrams.

“Howard is one of my best friends,” Goldstein said. “Two years ago, we coached a team in Toronto together. I watched Montclair Prep play this year and his players come up to me in the stands and say hello.”

When Goldstein came home Monday armed with the playoff pairings, he went to call his friend with the news. But Abrams had beaten him to the draw.

“He left a message saying, ‘I hate you’, “ Goldstein said. “Of course, he said it jokingly--I hope.”

Goldstein is familiar with his opponents’ abilities. He coached David Sanger, Craig Handschu, Josh Willis and Jason Gerber when he was at Montclair Prep.

He also uses the same offense at Oak Park.

The teams split a pair of nonleague games this season and played in the same two holiday tournaments. Goldstein has seen Montclair Prep seven times.

“It’s been easier to prepare for this game,” Goldstein said. “We know each other well, maybe a little too well.

“The opening line in Vegas has Montclair Prep favored by seven points.”

Goldstein said he hopes he can win the bet and not lose his friendship.