While most of us were packing for camp, the Rosenbaum Yeshiva of New Jersey’s Felman Gymnasium was the home to MGBL High School’s final four and championship games.
On Thursday June 23 action began when team Five Star Caterers took on Camp Shalom #1. When these two teams met earlier this season, Five Star Caterers were the 75-63 victors. Camp Shalom came out firing in an attempt to avoid a repeat of their regular season match. Addison Hartman hit a couple of quick threes and Jack Stepner dominated the paint, giving Camp Shalom an early 25-14 lead. Five Star Caterers would not be deterred; two threes from Jack Reinhart and a three at the buzzer from big brother Matty Reinhart sent the teams into the half with Camp Shalom clinging to a 29-23 lead. In the second half, Five Star Caterers switched to a double team on Stepner. Containing Stepner and the continued sharpshooting propelled Five Star past Camp Shalom and onto the championship game
The second game of the day featured the Center for Musculoskeletal Disorders vs. the Hey Boyzz team. Center for Musculoskeletal Disorders took an early 11-0 lead, but Hey Boyzz had come this far and were not ready to give up. Shimmy Shafar and Eitan Warburg hit some huge shots, tying the game at 21 with 11 to play in the first half. Asaf Miller (game high 30 points) sunk two free throws to give Hey Boyzz their first lead 23-21 with 10 minutes on the clock. Center for Musculoskeletal Disorders stormed back with multiple fast breaks building and holding a 30-44 lead at the half. The second half was all Center for Musculoskeletal Disorders as they cruised to a 56-72 victory and a chance to play Five Star Caterers for the championship on Saturday night.
The championship was played before a packed gym, on Saturday night, June 25. Five Star Caterers coach Hank Reinhart once again had a brilliant game plan going in. Their plan was to slow the game down, working the ball around, looking for a good shot. Although it was a great plan, the shots just weren’t falling for Five Star in the opening minutes and the Center for Musculoskeletal Disorders squad took a 35-24 lead into the half. In the second half, the Five Star shooters had the gym on its feet with their outside touch; leading the way was once again Matty Reinhart (a game high 26 points, seven three pointers). Unfortunately for the Five Star Caterers fans, it wasn’t enough to stop the swishing and dishing of Dov Koenigsberg and dominant play of big man Chezky Lewin. When the final horn blew, the Center for Musculoskeletal Disorders were the 73-53 winners. Congrats to co-MVPs Dov Koenigsberg and Chezky Lewin.
The MGBL Commissioners would like to thank the sponsors for their support, the coaches for volunteering their time to mentor the boys, the friends and family members who came out to cheer for the players and of course the boys for giving it their all on the court. Mitch Gross a’h would be very proud of the league that carries his name.
