The last week of October and openings days of November brought back the annual Rubenstein Memorial JV Basketball Tournament, an annual fundraiser that is hosted by SAR High School in memory of Rabbi Jacob and Rebbetzin Deborah Rubenstein, the community pillars of the Young Israel of Scarsdale who died tragically in a fire in 2008. The tournament consists of 12 yeshiva day schools with each team raising money that is donated to Bet Elazraki, a children’s home in Israel that was especially meaningful to the Rubenstein family. Emunah of America oversees various elements of the execution of the tournament.
The 2024 tournament was a major success, with SAR capturing the tournament championship. Led by new head coach Aryeh Halpert, SAR won its first three games in pool play, defeating North Shore Hebrew Academy, Barkai Yeshivah and HANC. With two returning starters from last year’s Yeshiva League championship team, Max Weiss and Nathan Wild, SAR was confident heading into the tournament that its other returning sophomores would complement the two superstars, a couple of freshmen would step up, and the team would coalesce through the preseason tournament. In the final game of pool play, SAR was only up two at the half against a scrappy HANC team. But Wild took over the third quarter, chipping in 13 of his team high 19 points, and the Sting ended up winning by 18. Starting center Nathan Small had 12 points and Weiss scored 10. Sophomore Benji Salamon had some impressive assists from his free throw line position on the offensive high-low and collected many rebounds. Two freshmen off the bench, Bar Ellis and Manu Wiebke, each hit two 3-pointers, giving the Sting 12 crucial points. HANC’s Ruby Tilis played a tremendous game in defeat.
On the final day of the tournament, November 3, there were two semifinal matchups. SAR played the ever-feisty Magen David Yeshivah Warriors, and the visiting team was ahead by double digits in the fourth quarter. But SAR refused to concede and they stormed back, with Wild scoring 22 points, Weiss another 10, and off-the-bench sensation Ellis chipping in an important 11. The stage was set for SAR to play in the title matchup against longtime rival Ramaz.
The first half proved to be a seesaw. At one point, SAR was up 24-17 in the second quarter before the Rams emerged ahead by four at the half, courtesy of a 15-4 run. Ramaz big man Emanuel Kushner was a handful that the Sting would need to contain in the second half in order to emerge victorious. SAR began the third quarter with a 7-0 run, and was getting into an offensive groove with tough drives to the basket, including some impressive and-ones by Weiss, Wild and Wiebke. At times, Kushner blocked the SAR shots but the Sting remained aggressive in penetrating the lane. Ramaz stayed in the game behind lights-out 3-point shooting by Noah Hiltzik, who drained three after three with a very quick release, and steady point guard play by Edward Ash.
Michael Courtney is the Director of College Counseling at SAR High School. He is in his first year of coaching retirement, following 17 years coaching the JV Boys Basketball Team at SAR.
