MVP, the premier Jewish Orthodox Boys Basketball Camp at Camp Seneca Lake, under the direction of Irv Bader and Judah Rhine, celebrated its seventh consecutive season of record-breaking registration and enrollment. Over 220 MVP players—4 divisions, 32 teams—participated, and over 145 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 from Grades 3 through 12 represented many schools throughout the tri-state area including: Yavneh, Noam, RYNJ, Moriah, Ashar, TABC, Frisch, JEC, HAFTR, HALB, HANC, North Shore Hebrew Academy, YCQ, Har Torah, SAR, Ramaz, Derech HaTorah, MTA, Rambam, MAY, DRS, Kushner, Beit Rabban, Ben Porat Yosef, Magen David, Yeshivah of Flatbush and others. Campers traveled from as far away as Stamford, CT, Pittsburgh, PA and Cleveland, Ohio to join MVP. Some of the counselor/coaches were former MVP players and were able to transmit their experiences to this year’s MVP players from their own years at MVP.
Upon arrival, each MVP player received his own reversible MVP Jersey featuring the MVP logo. Each day at MVP was filled with a jam-packed schedule, starting with Shacharis, followed by breakfast and then a series of activities including conditioning, clinics, swim featuring the giant slide and league games. After lunch players enjoyed visits to Seneca Sprinkles Ice Cream Parlor, 3-on-3, 2-on-2 and 1-on-1 competitions. After dinner, all MVP Players went to the shul for Mincha and Maariv. Following the night games and the nightly individual skills contests for each grade (plus a movie for Juniors), the late night barbecues gave the MVP players across all the divisions and schools the opportunity to socialize. Special events that took place included the Annual Spectacular MVP Challenge Endurance Competition.
On the final day of MVP 2015, the championship games for each division were played at beautiful Seneca Park (featuring stadium seating), as well as on the MVP courts. At the annual closing award ceremonies, over 100 trophies were distributed, including MVP awards. Once all the busses were boarded, each of the MVP players was excited to receive his very own MVP Klipped Kippah, and was already looking forward to MVP 2016.
In reviewing this year’s MVP experience, co-director Judah Rhine stated, “This was by far our best season ever. There is something here for everyone. Every camper is truly an MVP.”
This year, MVP was privileged to host Legendary Head Coach at Yeshiva University, Johnny Halpert. Coach Halpert gave clinics to the campers and commented, “this is by far the best Basketball program for Jewish Basketball Players”.
NBA Hall of Famer Nate “tiny” Archibald (the resident Pro) joined the camp as well. He is the only player in NBA History to lead the NBA in both scoring and assists in the same season. The MVP players had the opportunity to meet “Tiny,” take photos and receive autographs. He said to the campers, “You are all privileged to be able to attend MVP Basketball Camp—I wish they had something like this when I was growing up.”
MVP resident staff included Barry Neuberger, Associate Athletic Director at Columbia University and Andy Weitzen, head coach of Ramaz Middle School Varsity.
MVP has already started planning for MVP 2016 which promises to be even better. Please continue to check the Seneca website, www.senecalake.com and click on the MVP link for information on MVP 2016, and to check out pictures from this past season. Once again, this past season registration was sold out. Please make sure to register early.
For more information contact Judah Rhine at [email protected] or Irv Bader at [email protected].
