Led by 21 points from Sharon Bartel (BPY parent) and 18 points from Kristen Kush (CMEK Coach), the Phoenix Mercury defended their title and won their second straight CMEK Women’s League Championship. Playing for a big crowd of parents, friends and kids, the two competing teams came out playing strong and full of positive energy.

The game was very close for the first three quarters of the game, with a tough New York team playing tenacious man-on-man defense and connecting from the 3-point line and inside the paint. But after 36 minutes of even play, the Phoenix Mercury took it away with a bunch of steals and fantastic shooting from all members of the team.

Bartel, a Frisch alum, nicknamed “The Floor General” for her stellar point guard play, had a dominant season. She earned both Regular Season and Playoff MVP honors and was the league top scorer. Sari Jacoby, Yavneh parent and Frisch alum, contributed 10 points and 6 rebounds. Shlomit Stein, a BPY parent and Frisch alum who earned the Most Improved Player award, had 7 rebounds, 4 points and 2 assists. Elana Mandel, RYNJ parent and HAFTR alum had 4 points and 4 rebounds. Elana Tamas, former Frisch player as well, had 10 rebounds. To quote Elana Tamas:

“Playing in a championship game the night before the NCAA women’s championship in some way made it feel like I was playing for those stakes! We all played our hearts out, got trophies, and we were even announced as if it was the NCAA game. We drew an impressive crowd of friends and family too! Despite joining this league ‘just to have fun,’ winning the championship felt like such an accomplishment. It was a great night.”