This past weekend was jammed with MGBL playoff action in all four divisions. The 7th and 8th grade division saw Jake Froman throw down 29 of Team Chilis Pickles 42 points in defeat and Juno Rosen deposited 18 points as Team Campmor upset The Rothenberg Law Firm. In the 5/6 division Team Akabas put up seventy points on Saturday night, only to have David Gellis scorched then for 33 points on Sunday. Liam Levy notched 24 points to lead team Genesis Pain Management past Gabriel Shine (22pts) and Team Teaneck Councilman Schwartz and Katz in double overtime.
The story of the weekend occurred Saturday night when Treetop Development faced off against Sweets of Cedar. In the game two boys Aaron Schmutter and Ari Gilad (been best friends since they were 3) were on opposite teams, knowing that only one of them would advance to the semifinals the next day. Before the tip the two friends met at center court and hugged each other. In a terrific back and forth game, Gilad’s team (Sweets on Cedar) built a strong 12 point lead going into the half. Team Treetop still had fight in them and with the help of Schmutter, tied the game up. A spectator told the JLNJ “Aaron brought his team back and tied the game with only seconds remaining. He was incredible!”
With 18.6 seconds left and a tie game Gilad was at the free throw line for two huge shots. A hush fell over the crowd, the first shot was up and in. To the astonishment of all assembled Schmutter ran over and gave his opponent a high five. Gilad hit both shots and Sweets on Cedar won the game to advance.
Aaron Schmutter scoring 18 points and putting his team in position to overcome a double digit deficit, nice. Ari Gilad sinking two clutch free-throws and helping his team advancing to the semis, nice. The display of middot that all present are still talking about is priceless and what this league is and Mitch Gross A’H was all about. If we are teaching our children middot tovot, then regardless of what the scoreboard says, we are all winners.
MGBL playoff action continues in all divisions after Pesach, go to the leagues site mgbl.org for times and locations
