Abrams Relying on Defense to Retain Maccabi Games Basketball Title

Defense is on Howard Abrams’ mind going into next week’s North American Maccabi Youth Games competition in Chicago.

That’s because Abrams reasons it will take defense on the court for his team to make a successful defense of its 1986 basketball title in next week’s tournament.

The biennial games for Jewish athletes 16-years-old and younger begin Aug. 19 and run through Aug. 25.

Abrams, the basketball coach at Montclair Prep, will take charge of an 11-man squad, including six players from the San Fernando Valley.

“Two years ago, we were big and we won,” Abrams said. “This year we have more speed. Our guards are real quick.”

Led by Jason Farrell of El Camino Real High, the Southern California contingent will rely on youngsters for key performances.

Chris Sanger, a 6-foot, 5-inch freshman-to-be at Montclair Prep, may play center. Only 14, he also is eligible for the 1990 games. Chris’ brother Dave led the 1986 team to victory in Toronto.

Also on the squad is El Camino Real’s Allen Chenen, Montclair Prep’s Shel Shapir, Grant’s Keith Weinstein, and Agoura’s Dan Green.

Green, a 6-2 forward, is a possible starter, Abrams said, along with Weinstein.

“The front line is not set yet,” Abrams said. “It should be wide open. Defense is going to be very important.”

The Southern California entry in the multisport games will comprise approximately 100 athletes. One of those is Agoura High cross-country runner Deena Drossin, who heads the girls’ track team. Drossin will run the 1,500 and 3,000 meters in Chicago. She ran 5:03.21 in the 1,600 meters, last spring to qualify for the state high school championships.

Timing might be the difference next week, though, because Drossin has been training for the cross-country season and will have to change gears a bit when she steps back on the track, Agoura Hills Coach Bill Duley said.

Drossin has spent time this summer training at the U. S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.