The Jewish Link of New Jersey and Gotham Burger would like to recognize two Rosenbaum Yeshiva of North Jersey eighth graders as Sportstars of the Week. This dynamic duo of 13-year-olds are the co-captians of the undefeated RYNJ Jaguars basketball team, and are coming off of a championship victory for MGBL team Confei Seguros. RYNJ coach Chani Hyman told the JLNJ, “Avigayil and Aliza exemplify what it means to be team captains. Not only are they exceptional players who exude team spirit, but they also demonstrate real leadership qualities on and off the court; all important attributes that have led to the team’s successful record.”

Yasher koach on an amazing season for the Jaguars and MGBL team Confei Seguros.

If you had to pick one person, who would you say is your role model and why?

Aliza – I aspire to be like my mother because she is the sweetest and most giving person I know. She cares for everyone and finishes everything she sets her heart to.

Avigayil – My RYNJ basketball coach, Chani Hyman. She always plays fairly and makes practices fun. She teaches us to play hard and try our best.

Who is your favorite professional athlete?

Aliza – Kevin Durant is my favorite athlete because he contributes so much to the Oklahoma Thunder and is an amazing player. My number on the RYNJ basketball team is 35 because he’s my favorite player.

Avigayil – Steph Curry. I like how he tries to make all of the players around him better. He tries to set them for open shots, while still scoring many points. He became such a great shooter because of how much he practices.

Do you have a pregame meal or ritual?

Aliza – Before a game I eat anything I can find in the house

Avigayil – Anything in the fridge

What is your earliest sports memory?

Aliza – My earliest sports memory is when I went to a Yankees game with my brothers and the players were going back to the dugout from practice. My dad screamed to Derek Jeter asking for a ball, and then he looked up and threw us the ball.

Avigayil – When I went to my first Yankee’s game. I sat three rows behind the Yankee’s dugout and got three baseballs, including one Robinson Cano tossed to me.

What is your favorite sports memory?

Aliza – My favorite sports memory was two years ago in TBO. It was the last inning of the championship game and the sprinklers went off! We continued the game and we won.

Avigayil– Winning back-to-back championships with my friends in the Yavneh Youth League.

What’s the funniest thing that happened to you while playing ball?

Aliza – In third grade … I was dribbling the ball down the court. I turned to my dad, who was in the stands on his phone and I said “Daddy get off of your blackberry,” and then he got off (he was a little embarrassed!).

Avigayil – During my RYNJ basketball games, my mom always screams from the stands, “SHOOT! SHOOT!” every time I have the ball.

What do you like to do when not playing sports?

Aliza – When I’m not playing sports I love to hang out with my friends. My friends are awesome and I love being with them.

Avigayil – Hang out with my friends. I have the best friends ever. I also like to play Perpetual Commotion with my siblings who want to make sure they are mentioned in this article.

What is the best thing about being a Sportstar?

Aliza – The best thing about being a Sportstar is appearing in the Jewish Link:)

Avigayil – Appearing in the Jewish Link.

The Gotham Burger Sportstar of the Week will receive a $10 gift certificate to Gotham Burger. Please send nominees for next week’s Gotham Burger Sportstar of the Week to [email protected].