The Jewish Link of New Jersey and Teaneck Doghouse would like to recognize 15-year-old Adira Orbach as this week’s Sportstar of the Week. The Salanter Akiba Riverdale (SAR) rising junior will be starting her third season as a member of the varsity Sting basketball team. Her first two years have netted back to back championships, with Orbach being a significant contributor on each team. Her freshman year she was the sixth man and has flourished as the starting point guard this past season. She was one of the team’s leading scorers and rebounders for the second year in a row. SAR coach Tali Zelenetz told the JLNJ, “Adira is a great kid and an extremely talented athlete. She.was absolutely a key factor in championship wins both seasons and a huge reason we have been so successful.”
Orbach is also a stellar student, model congress participant and this summer she captured a silver medal as a member of the USA team in the Maccabiah games for 18 and under girls basketball.
Adira, congrats on the back-to-back championships and your silver medal at the Maccabiah games. Who would you say is your role model?
My role model is Na’ama Shafir because she was able to play basketball at an extremely high Division 1 level, while still maintaining her orthodoxy and following all the halachot. My favorite sport is definitely basketball.
Looking back, what is your greatest sports accomplishment?
My greatest sports accomplishment is either winning states with my aau team four years in a row, or winning the yeshiva league championship twice in a row.
Who is your favorite athlete and why?
My favorite athlete is Dak Prescott because he has brought us Cowboys fans hope in a time when we didn’t have much.
What is your pregame routine?
Before games I always eat exactly an hour and a half before and then drink at least two bottles of water, stretch and then listen to my pre-game playlist.
What is your earliest sport memory?
My earliest sports memory was when I was in fourth grade and it was my first year of playing real competitive basketball. Our uniforms were practically falling off of us they were so big and most of us barely knew how to play, but that summer our coach worked us harder than I’ve probably ever worked before. We started winning games and playing real basketball, and that’s when I fell in love with the game.
What is your favorite sports memory?
My favorite sports memory was winning the championship freshman year. It was a really close game (we ended up winning by one) and it was also during our color war so half the school was there. After we won in the final seconds everyone rushed the court and started singing and having a mini chagiga.
What is your favorite thing to do when you are not playing sports?
My favorite thing to do when I’m not playing sports is to play guitar.
What is the best thing about being a Sportstar?
The best thing about being a Sportstar is being acknowledged for all my hard work and effort.
The Teaneck Doghouse Sportstar of the Week will receive a $15 gift certificate to Teaneck Doghouse. Please send nominees for upcoming Jewish Link of New Jersey and Teaneck Doghouse Sportstar of the Week to [email protected]
