Last Tuesday, on November 10, Moriah’s Coach Malka and his eighth grade boys’ basketball team hosted Kushner for their season opener. Entering the season, Moriah’s squad was looking to make history—already the only group in the YMSSA history to win the league championship throughout all of middle school. Their strong victory against Kushner 64-33 puts these talented athletes on track to being placed in the record books.

Moriah attacked early as its star point guard, Rafi Lewis, and its 6-foot-3 center, Gabi Katz constantly lit up the scoreboard throughout the first quarter. Immediately after Lewis’ first basket, Coach Malka ran a full-court press, which made Kushner’s offense seem irrelevant. When the buzzer sounded, Moriah was ahead 18-3.

During the second quarter, Moriah’s Aaron Lubat and Lewis dazzled the crowd with their remarkable euro-step layups. Kushner slowly began to get back into the game with their tremendous foul shooting. However, there was still a huge gap.

In the second half, Kushner’s Aryeh Gruber accomplished a historic feat as he nailed a 3-pointer in the Moriah gym. Prior to this season, three-pointers were not allowed in the league. Since the rule change, Gruber took advantage of the extra points as he swished two treys. Even with his money-balls, it seemed impossible that Kushner would win. Katz’s double-double led Moriah with 19 points and 10 rebounds along with Lewis’ 12 points and 6 assists, and solid debuts from David Cohen and Dean Shein.

By Zach Horowitz