Led by a league-record 50 points from Rami Rozezadeh, the Cobras survived a gut-wrenching double overtime championship basketball game against the Gregory Eagles 64-61 to be crowned Grades 4-5 champions of West Orange.

The Cobras, made up of JEC and Kushner boys, trailed by as much as 10 in the first half. It would have been worse if not for a stunning 7 offensive rebounds, half by Reuven Rozezadeh, Rami’s hustling brother. The Cobras then went on a 20-4 run to start the second half and eventually built their own 10-point lead. But like our own NCAA brackets prove, no lead is safe in March, and the Eagles tied it in the final minute to force overtime.

In the first overtime, Rami and the Eagles’ #12 traded baskets like an old-fashioned shootout. Rami hit a big three and several driving layups, but despite stellar defense throughout by Kushner’s Sean Felderman, #12 dropped in a layup of his own as the horn sounded to force a second overtime. Rami would not be denied in the second overtime. He drove hard to the basket trip after trip, wearing down the Eagles’ “D” for an amazing 13 points in the second OT, including 7-for-7 from the free throw line.

When the final buzzer sounded, the Cobras celebrated as both teams’ parents and grandparents – along with the next game’s players and fans – applauded an amazing effort in what the courtside announcer called the greatest championship game in the 36 years of the Mountain Top League. Congratulations are in order for Rami, Reuven, and Sean, plus Kushner’s Nathan Nussbaum, Nathan Pedoeem and Koby Yolin.