On Sunday, March 29, 2015, MVP Basketball hosted its 7th Annual Boys All-Star Day. The daylong program featured over 200 coach-selected players from yeshivas throughout the New York and New Jersey metropolitan area.

Five All-Star games were played by 6th, 7th and 8th grade students from high school Junior Varsity and Varsity divisions. A long list of schools participated: Yeshiva Har Torah, HALB, Magen David, HAFTR, HANC, North Shore, YCQ, Flatbush, Derech Hatorah, YNJ, JFS, Moriah, Ramaz, Brandeis, RPRY, Yavneh, Barkai, DRS, Rambam, Hillel, YDE, JEC, MTA, TABC, HESCHEL, Frisch, Kushner and SAR.  The competitive games were coached by yeshiva league coaches.

The blend of different team uniforms was truly a colorful sight. That blend was a metaphor for the wonderful display of sportsmanship both between the teams and within each one. “East” and “West” divisions were able to interact with respect for one another on and off the court. Each day, the teams joined to daven mincha together in one minyan. Of course the players shook hands at the close of every game. The sense of internal team chemistry was also apparent as evidenced by the high level of play and unselfish teamwork.

SAR High School, and athletic director Marty Berlin, graciously hosted this year’s All-Star Day. Players from all teams appreciated the selection because of the proximity to Carlos and Gabby’s, Kosher Pizza Store and a kosher Dunkin Donuts. The students frequented these establishments over the course of the tournament.

In the game, halftime meant an MVP 3-Point Shootout. “Specialists” were selected by their respective coaches to participate.  Each champion received a trophy. Some of the contests came down to the last shot. Trophies were also awarded to an MVP from each team of every game. The games were attended by hundreds of spectators including family, friends, and teammates.

The following honors were awarded at the close of the tournament:

3-Point Champions –

6th grade- Dani Pfeifer, Yeshiva North Jersey (YNJ);

7th grade – Jonathan Comet, Moriah;

8th grade – Jack Gindi, Magen David;

Junior Varsity – Raanan Kimmel, JEC;

Varsity- Mor Schindler, Heschel;

MVP’s of each of the All-Star Games –

6th grade –Aaron Hajibai, North Shore and Tzvi Motechin, Yeshiva North Jersey (YNJ);

7th grade – Mathew Jedwab, HAFTR and Gaby Katz, Moriah;

8th grade – Michael Natkin, Magen David and Aaron Shapira, Ramaz;

Junior Varsity – Abie Rosow, Flatbush and Mo Proctor, TABC;

Varsity – Jonathan Greenberg, HAFTR and Jonathan Granowitz, Heschel.

Coaches of the MVP All-Star teams-

6th grade- Bob Prisco, North Shore and Justin Schussheim, YCQ

7th grade- Leon Betesh, Magen David and Michael Malka, Moriah

8th grade – Zach Wertheim, Har Torah and Michael Malka, Moriah

Junior Varsity – Michael Courtney, SAR and David Wolf, North Shore

Varsity – Mitch Hill, Derech Hatorah and Joe Schwartz and Eli Davidoff, Frisch

This event is the kickoff for MVP Basketball Camp 2015. Now entering its 7th successful year, MVP Basketball is the premier Orthodox Jewish basketball camp. The camp takes place in the magnificent Camp Seneca Lake during the month of August: a boys’ session runs 8/23- 8/27 and a girls’ 8/30-9/2. For more information contact Judah Rhine (516-707-2638), [email protected], or [email protected] or Irv Bader (718-261-2267), [email protected] or visit www.senecalake.com and click on the MVP link.