(BATTLE Basketball) The King David Memorial basketball tournament by BATTLE took place Sunday June 16, at the JCC of Great Neck. Cheri Haghighat runs the BATTLE training and basketball program that prepares kids from grades one-12 in basketball skills on the court and in the gym. The annual tournament has been renamed the King David Memorial honoring and remembering her late father David Kordvani, who had a passion for the game and a love for Jewish youth basketball.

Each year the proceeds of the tournament go towards a charity and is a special memorable night bringing athletes from all different schools together under one roof competing for a cause. This year all money raised went to Chabad of Great Neck’s “Adopt a Unit.” This was created to send drones, helmets, protective gears, gift cards and meals to the families, villages and soldiers in Israel who suffered loss after the tragic October 7 attacks. This Sunday night featured most of the top female players in the Yeshiva League teaming up and playing at a super high all star performance level of basketball. Watching rivals become teammates, and pairing different all-stars on one team gave the night a special sense in the air. The packed gym of superstars pounded the courts for hours in remarkable games and extreme talent while bringing players from all over closer together and as one. BATTLE hopes to grow the King David tournament yearly and to continue to bring glory and recognition to girls basketball around the nation while raising money for special causes. The night was memorable and exciting and the athletes can’t wait for next year to do it again!