This week in honor of Mother’s Day, the Jewish Link of New Jersey and Gotham Burger would like to recognize two local mothers as Mother’s Day Co-Sportstars of the Week: Aviva Baitner and Sharon Bartel. Aviva and Sharon were standout players in the CMEK Women’s League. In keeping with the Mother’s Day theme, we asked their greatest trophies (children) a few questions about their Sportstar moms.

Aviva Baitner was named the most improved player in CMEK women’s Season 1. When she isn’t bounding and astounding on the court, she enjoys spending time with her children and watching them enjoy their various hobbies. This past year she witnessed Benny (age 11) win his first TABC hockey championship; Noah (age 8) succeed on his CMEK basketball team; and Carly (age 6) who always rocks it out on the dance floor with Broadway Bound Dance. Special shout out to her husband Donny who rearranges his schedule weekly to make sure that he is home so that she can go play ball.

Benny Baitner, 11 years old: My mom’s favorite athlete is Henrik Lundqvist because he’s on the Rangers and he’s a goalie so you should look up to him. Before games my mom stretches, I think. The best thing about having a mom who is a Sportstar is that I get two nights without her home so I get to go to bed later. 🙂

Noah Baitner, eight years old: My Moms favorite athletes are Michael Jordan Because he’s a basketball player and me! Before she plays my mom likes to lay around and do nothing. The best thing about having a mom who is a Sportstar is that I get more time in the house without parents.

Carly Baitner, six years old: My mom’s favorite athlete is Mcdonagh because he is on the Rangers. Before my Mom plays she puts on her basketball shoes. The best thing about having a Sportstar mom is that she wins, sometime.

Sharon Bartel was the starting point guard on the Frisch team from 1996-1999. In 1998 and 1999 she led her team to win two championships. She played intramurals in college and casual pick-up games after that. She took a 10 year break from basketball until her friends started getting her back on the court last year. She collected quite a bit of hardware last year at CMEK Women’s Basketball League: scoring champion, regular season MVP, playoff MVP and her team won the chip. When she isn’t swishing and dishing on the hardwood, Sharon likes to run and compete in 5K races.

Miles Form, eight years old: I think her favorite athlete is Steph Curry because he has awesome ball handling skills. Before her games my mom makes sure I finished all my homework and that we are ready for bed. The best thing about having a mom who is a basketball star is that she can play 1-on-1 with me (when she’s not busy with work) and teach me how to play basketball.

Mia Form, six years old: The best thing about having a mom who is a basketball star is that my mom gets to play with a fun team and make new friends. My mom is really good at basketball and one day I will win as many trophies as she has. Before my mom leaves for her games I tell her that when she gets home she should give me as many kisses as the points she scores in her game.

Benjamin Form, 3 years old: I like when my mom goes to play basketball because then Carmi comes over to babysit. If it was up to me, my mom would play basketball every night of the week.

Please send nominees for future Sportstars of the week to [email protected]. Now is a great time to send in Father’s Day Sportstar candidates.