The Jayhawks, a Roslyn fourth grade travel basketball team playing in the SuperLeague at Island Garden, have now won seven of their last eight games. This puts their 8-3 record among the very top of the elite 23-team division.

Coached by David Rothman, Stu Dinetz and Jeff Gould, the team has been together for two seasons and they feature a blend of a hard-nosed, punishing defense with an innovative offense that is as effective from the outside as it is when it bangs the ball down low.

On Jan. 28 at Island Garden, the team faced a very solid Syosset team and came from behind to win 34-31. The Jayhawks were sloppy in the first half and were down three points going into halftime. In the third quarter, they began to settle down, but Syosset made a late rush and outscored them 11-7 in the quarter. Syosset had played an effective 3-2 zone the entire game and this stymied the Jayhawks until their shooters began to find space in the fourth quarter. This led to open looks which begat a torrent of points from the soft spots in the Syosset zone.

The quarter opened with a 3-point bomb from Kenny Rothman (13 points, including three 3-pointers) followed by a defensive stop by Brandon Friedman and a three-pointer from Reid Karp (5). Syosset hung in, but with two minutes left in the game, the Jayhawks took a one point lead. Syosset lost the ball on their trip downcourt and nursing the fragile lead, the Jayhawks held the ball near halfcourt daring Syosset to come out of their zone. In short-order, Syosset left the comfort of their defense and came out to play man to man. The Jayhawks went into a dribble weave which led to a quick strike down the lane by Jacob Dinetz (2). Syosset countered with a basket and the Jayhawks came down court with 30 seconds left, clinging to a precarious one point lead.

Everyone in the partisan crowd knew what was coming and the Jayhawks didn't disappoint. The coach called the bread and butter basic cut from the shuffle offense: Rothman across the time-line passed to Jared Fried (10) in the right corner; Danny Gould set a crushing pick at the left elbow to spring Brian Rogofsky (2), who barreled across the lane to receive an easy pass from Fried for an untouched lay-up. Phenomenal execution to ice the 34-31 victory.

On Feb. 1 at Island Garden, the Jayhawks had an easier time as they cruised to a 57-31 win over LIL-Cluess. The game was never in doubt as the Jayhawks' stifling man-2-man defense shut down their opponent. Offensively, the Jayhawks patiently moved the ball around looking for easy scores as they worked through their repertoire. Led by Brian Rogofsky's 14 points everyone on the team scored: Ben Rashbaum (7), Kenny Rothman (7), Jared Fried (6), Reid Karp (6), Danny Gould (5), Alex Klausner (4), Brandon Friedman (4), Jacob Dinetz (2), Ben Mitchell (2).

The Jayhawks next play Sunday, Feb. 12 at 1:40 p.m. at the JCC against Garden City. The game is part of a back-2-back affair with their varsity brothers, the LIL - Jammers, who play St. Bernard's at 2:50 p.m. in a sixth grade division game. Tickets are available at the box office.