Last weekend, the MTA varsity basketball Lions had the privilege of participating in the Scott Satran Tournament in Lawrence. Hosted by the Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway (HAFTR), this annual tournament brings ten yeshiva league teams together to memorialize Scott Satran, a HAFTR alumnus who died of cancer 30 years ago at the age of 20. Over the course of Shabbos, the teams had the opportunity to learn more about Scott and the positive aura that he brought to his friends and family.

The tournament games were played at HAFTR middle school from Friday morning through Sunday afternoon. Along with the MTA Lions, the tournament hosted the HAFTR Hawks, HANC Hurricanes, Shaare Torah Stars, Rambam Ravens, DRS Wildcats, NSHA Stars, SAR Sting, RTMA Thunder, Heschel Heat,YDE Thunder and MDY Warriors. MTA started off the weekend with a few tough games, but with every game played, the team learned from their mistakes and improved. On Sunday morning, the Lions took on the Shaarei Torah Stars and defeated them with a score of 50-45. This moved the Lions into the Tier II championship game to face off against the noted YDE Thunder. MTA maintained a lead throughout and cruised to a 60-54 victory, earning the championship win. Eitan Pfeiffer led the Lions in scoring with 21 points, followed by Shlomo Meisels with 14 points.

Thanks to HAFTR varsity basketball coach Joey Hoenig, who worked tirelessly to put such a wonderful and awe-inspiring weekend together. The spirit of the whole tournament, including Shabbos activities, served to perpetuate the memory of Scott Satran, a”h.

By Joey Burg, MTA Class of 2019