(Courtesy of MVP) MVP, the premier Jewish Orthodox boys basketball camp at Camp Seneca Lake, under the direction of Irv Bader and Judah and Carol Rhine, celebrated its 10th consecutive season of record breaking registration and enrollment. Three divisions, 24 teams and over 125 games were played over the course of the five day camp! The games were competitive and exciting with many last minute buzzer beater endings.
This year’s MVP featured players with all levels of playing ability. Players ranged from grades three through 11, representing many schools throughout the tri-state area including: Noam, Barkai, JEC, HAFTR, HALB, HANC, North Shore Hebrew Academy, YCQ, Yeshiva Har Torah, SAR, Ramaz, Silverstein, MTA, Rambam, DRS, Kushner, Magen David Yeshivah, YDE, Solomon Schechter of Queens, Yeshivah of Flatbush, Hillel Yeshiva and others. Many of the counselors/coaches were former MVP players and were able to give over their experiences to this year’s MVP players from their years at the camp.
Upon arrival, each MVP player received his very own reversible MVP jersey featuring the new MVP 10th year anniversary logo. Each day at MVP was filled with a jam packed schedule starting with Shacharit, followed by gourmet breakfasts and a series of activities including clinics, swimming in the pool featuring the Seneca giant slide and league games. Delectable lunches were followed by visits to Seneca Sprinkles ice cream parlor, three on three, two on two and one on one competitions and much, much more. After delicious dinners, all MVP players went to the shul for Mincha and Maariv. Following the night games, and the nightly individual skills contests for each grade, the late night barbeques at the brand new Seneca canteen gave all the MVP players across all the divisions and schools the opportunity to interact and meet up with each other. Despite some occasional raindrops, all games and competitions were accommodated and completed in our indoor facilities. Swim also took place in our indoor pool.
Special events that took place included the annual, spectacular MVP Challenge Endurance Competition for the seniors. This year, as MVP took place in the month of Elul, there was a Slichot minyan each night at 10:45 for all Sephardim that wanted to participate.
This year, MVP was privileged to have J’son Stamper on staff as head basketball pro.Stamper is the basketball director at the Sephardic Community Center in Brooklyn, as well at Camp Seneca Lake. As a personal trainer, his experience includes working with NBA draftees prior to the NBA Draft. Stamper gave clinics to each division each morning, as well as individualized and small group instruction in the afternoons.
Special guests invited to MVP to give clinics to the campers included Evan Daniel, head coach of YCQ varsity. Steve Podias, head coach of HANC HS varsity, former head coach at Brooklyn College and director of New York Knicks summer camps came with his staff to give over his expertise of fundamentals and strategy from his years of coaching.
The much anticipated MVP staff game featuring the MVP coaches/counselors against the MVP pro staff lived up to its hype. The many game highlights included impressive dunks and eye opening “alley-oops” with the crowd ooh-ing and ahh-ing as they cheered on their favorites.
Brand new for MVP 2018 was the addition of the MVP Basketball Camp all star games on the last night of camp. Sixteen all stars were selected from each division to participate in this exciting inaugural event. Following the introductions of each player, the high level of competition was evidenced by the close scoring of the all star games. It was a great opportunity for everyone to watch their friends play and cheer them on. Every all star received a trophy at the MVP closing awards ceremony.
On the final day of MVP 2018, the championship games for each division were played at the beautiful Seneca Center Complex and Seneca Park, featuring stadium seating. The games were followed by lunch and the MVP annual closing awards ceremonies, where over 100 trophies were distributed to champions from all the many competitions that took place during the course of the week, including the MVP awards to the MVPs of each of the leagues. Following the awards ceremony, every MVP camper was excited to receive his very own, new for 2018 Klipped Kippah commemorating the 10th anniversary and an MVP pouch. Everyone is already looking forward to MVP 2019.
In reviewing this year’s MVP experience, Co-Director Judah Rhine stated, “This was by far our best season ever. The comradery amongst all the campers is wonderful. There is something here for everyone. Every camper is truly an MVP.”
MVP has already started planning for MVP 2019, our 11th season, which promises to be BIGGER and BETTER! Once again, this past season, registration was sold out, which resulted in a waiting list. Please make sure to register early so you don’t get closed out. For more information and pictures please visit themvpcamps.com.
