This past weekend, was a busy one for the Mitch Gross Basketball League. Less than an hour after Havdala, teams Sharing Seats and Kosher Experience met for game one of the semi finals double header. These two squads had not played yet this season but after a back and forth game, Sharing Seats advanced to play another day. In the nightcap game, Tree Point Play met www.TenaflySmiles.com for the second time this season. In their first matchup, www.TenaflySmiles.com won a thriller and this game shaped up in similar fashion. Tree Point Play took an early lead (paced by Aliza Baron’s game high 11 points), but a late game run capped by birthday girl Samantha Pruzansky shot in the final seconds lifted www.TenaflySmiles.com to a one point victory and a ticket to championship sunday.
The following afternoon, two teams returned to the Felman Gymnasium at RYNJ to determine who would walk away with the title of 2017 fifth/sixth MGBL girls champions, but for both teams it was more than a game. Tenafly Smiles team sponsor Saul Lejtman is married to Stephanie Gross the twin of Mitch Gross a”h (for whom the league is named to carry on his memory). On the other sideline were Mike Dube and David Shine, who were good friends of Mitch Gross a”h. The gym was packed and as one spectator commented “regardless of the outcome this is what Mitch was all about and a fitting tribute to his memory”.
The game did not disappoint, www.TenaflySmiles.com got an early surge from Basya Lynn, enroute to her game high 16 points. Sharing Seats stayed with them every step of the way behind the balanced attack of Sienna Dube and Naomi Wild (seven points a piece). The game was tied at six after the first. Two free throws from Emma Kinches put Sharing Seats within two at the half down 16-14. Pruzansky scored the opening shot of the half for Tenafly, but it was all Sharing Seats after that, going on 12-0 run to finish the third up eight. Tenafly Smile found their stroke in the fourth and battled back to be with in a basket in the final seconds, but when the buzzer sounded Sharing Seats won 28-26.
It was a thrilling game and both teams played their hearts out. After all the teams received their trophies the team chose not to assign an individual player as MVP, as all were vital parts of the championship team. Coach Dube told the JLNJ “It was also my mother’s birthday. [She] really deserves all the credit—and she is my the real MVP!!”
This was the second major accomplishment for Sharing Seats on Sunday. Earlier that day they set a new record sending more than 100 people to the NY Jets vs. LA Chargers game. The groups they worked with to coordinate the recipients were from many different organizations, including Chai Lifeline, Friendship Circle, Yachad, YANA and Twisted Parenting.
The much anticipated MGBL boys league will be starting games on January 7, 2018. If you have not yet registered or signed up to sponsor, please do so asap.
