After a semi-final win against Tenafly, the RYNJ kindergarten boys defeated Woodcliff Lake 26-25 in the Backyard Brawl Basketball tournament championship at BPY.

It was a back and forth game that ended with a game-winning shot by Raffi Karasick “Killer K”.a

“I didn’t think we had enough firepower to beat them,” said Coach Chad Mekles, who has been training the kids since Pre-K. In the end, we got contributions from everyone. Killer K is as hard to guard as any kindergarten boy I’ve ever coached. He’s a rare combination of speed power and agility. He can shoot step-back 3-point jumpers already. We are loaded with talent: Akiva Jacoby ‘The Little A-Train,’ is a stud point guard with a crazy handle who passes like Pistol Pete; Eli Wiederkehr, ‘The Bus Driver,’ is automatic on his fast break-layups; Aaron Edell is our toughest player; Eitan Poopwitz is our energy guy; Netanel Schwartz is a great rebounder; Jake Rubinstein is an amazing ball-handler; AJ Mandel is our defensive stopper; Akiva Staudtmauer is a great play-maker; Hillel Berkowitz is a force inside; Avi Gottlieb is a very smart player, and Tani Strulowitz is the best teammate.

“This group is special, arguably one of the best kindergarten groups I have had. They just love to play and love to play with each other,” says Coach Mekles.

CMEK Basketball is now starting spring programs and is currently forming groups starting in Pre-Kindergarten.