The CMEK Hornets repeated as Champions of the Grade 3 AAU league. The team started the season 1-4, but rallied for three straight wins to earn a playoff berth. After a tough 6-point semi-final win, the team captured the title with a 30-25 win.

“It’s a great group of kids, all from Moriah, who started training with me at age 4,” says Coach Chad Mekles. Moriah has a tradition of excellence. If you look at the current yeshiva high school rosters, many, if not all, Moriah alumni, started with CMEK. That’s what makes it extra special; basketball is life for these kids.

“Our team has the total basketball experience: weekly team practice, skills training session, and game. Combine it with an MGBL games, the boys are playing four times a week at the minimum,” said the coach.

What’s unique about this group is on any given day it can be any player who makes the key winning plays. In the playoffs, Roni Heumann was the offensive key guy. He was able to handle the defensive pressure, score and set up others. Defensively, Miles Grauberd drew the task of shutting down the opponent’s top player. Coincidentally, he also made the go-ahead game winning shot. Shmoozie Rosen, the team’s overall biggest impact player, was a monster on both ends of the floor. Mark Eisenberger played excellent shut-down defense and hit a key free throw to ice the game. James Dyckman hit a huge shot down the stretch. Eitan Sulemanoff nailed an important shot early in the game. Jake Heumann had some key assists. JJ Waldman made some great moves all season. Bo Orbach had some big steals throughout the games. Noah Fischman led the team in rebounds.