The Jewish Link of New Jersey and Teaneck Doghouse would like to recognize 12 year olds Ayelet and Sigal Ostrin as this week’s Sportstars of the Week. The Dynamic Ostrin Duo are two of the stars on the Rabbi Pesach Raymon Yeshiva (RPRY) sixth grade girls basketball team, that just completed an exciting (undefeated) run to the Championship game. Ayelet was among the league leaders, averaging around 25 points per game, while Sigal runs the point. Together, they are quite a tandem.
Ayelet and Sigal, congratulations on a great season. I know it’s hard to pick, but if you had to select a role model in your life who would it be?
Ayelet: My mom and dad, because they always support me and encourage me.
Sigal: My sister Ayelet. She always encourages me and is constantly helping me.
What is your favorite sport?
Ayelet: Basketball.
Sigal: Horseback riding.
What is your greatest sports accomplishment, so far?
Ayelet: Being the youngest player at Rutgers Prep basketball camp, and winning three awards.
Sigal: Winning “Champion Rider” at the Freehold Equestrian competition.
Who is your favorite professional athlete and why?
Ayelet: Maya Moore, because she always pushes through tough games.
Sigal: Steph Curry, he has an unstoppable 3 point shot.
What is your pregame routine?
Ayelet: Stretching and shooting around.
Sigal: Shooting around and eating sour candies.
What is your earliest sport memory?
Ayelet: Going to AAU Rutgers Prep basketball camp when I was 5 years old and training with players from the Rutgers 1981 National Championship team.
Sigal: When I was 4 years old, I would go to the first grade basketball games my mom was coaching in the Highland Park rec league, and run all over the court chasing balls during halftime.
What is the weirdest thing that you have seen while playing sports?
Ayelet: In a game, the other team inbounded the ball and went the wrong way and scored. Then our team inbounded the ball and went the wrong way, and scored. Our coach yelled at us.
Sigal: I once fell off of my horse Lilly and miraculously landed on my feet.
What is your favorite sports memory?
Ayelet: A teammate who had never scored in a game, got the rebound, dribbled down the court and used all of her body weight and strength to shoot the ball, and it rolled on the rim and dropped in for a score. The gym went nuts and her parents went bananas.
Sigal: Skiing with my grandfather and siblings, Ayelet, Alex and Uri in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
What do you like to do when you are not playing sports?
Ayelet: horseback riding, gymnastics, learning Tanach.
Sigal: Spending time with my grandparents and family at their beach house on Long Beach Island.
What is the best thing about being a Sportstar?
Ayelet: I get to thank all of my teammates, family and coaches for always helping me to be better and grow as a player and a person.
Sigal: It highlights what a great team I play on at RPRY and the great players on my team.
The Teaneck Doghouse Sportstar of the Week will receive a $15 gift at the Teaneck Doghouse. Please send nominees for an upcoming Jewish Link of New Jersey and Teaneck Doghouse Sportstar of the Week to [email protected].
