The Jewish Link and The Humble Toast would like to recognize Lilah Brickman and Kendall Levine as this week’s Sportstars of the Week. This dynamic duo helped The Moriah School win the sixth grade girls basketball championship and the sixth grade winter league championship for their CMEK team. When asked about his “tall and small” tandem, Chad Mekles of CMEK told The Jewish Link “They say defense wins championships. Great defenders often get overlooked. Brickman drew the task of having to defend the top two players in the league in the semifinal vs. Glen Rock and in the final vs. Emerson. Her stellar defense, which included getting a stop in the final possession in the GR game, got us to the final. Then in the championship, she forced the other team’s superstar into tough shots. Offensively, she converted her break-away layup and free throws late to seal the deal.” And “Kendall Levine, our starting center, led us in both games rebounding and stuffed the stat sheet with points, assists and blocks too. In the morning of Monday’s final she wasn’t feeling great. By game-time her temperature dropped but still wasn’t 100%. She knew we needed her out there. She responded by playing a magnificent all-around game and protected the paint better than any center I ever coached did.”
Kendal and Lilah, congratulations on the two championships and being recognized as this week’s sportstar of the week. Who is your role model and why?
Lilah: My dad since he taught me everything I know about sports.
Kendall: My mom is my role model. She works really hard at her job while still maintaining balance in her life. She somehow finds the time to be the best mom, wife, boss and colleague.
What is your favorite sport?
Lilah: Basketball. I’m a big Boston Celtics fan and I love watching the games with my family.
Kendall: Basketball for sure! I love the team aspect of the sport. My friends and I have the best time playing together. We have all improved working together.
What is your earliest sports memory?
Lilah: Playing basketball at JCC with my dad.
Kendall: CMEK camp in the beginning of 2020. It was a great way to meet my friends when I had recently moved to Englewood.
What is your greatest sports accomplishment?
Lilah: Winning back-to-back-to-back basketball championships in fall 2023, winter 2024 and spring 2024. We couldn’t have done it without the whole team.
Kendall: A few years ago I wasn’t very talented at basketball. I had never played before. This year, through hard work, good coaching and encouragement from my teammates I have improved a lot.
Who is your favorite athlete and why?
Lilah: Derrick White because of his defense, hustle and all the little things he does to help his team win.
Kendall: Caitlin Clarke. She has made women’s basketball popular and not just the boys are good!
What is your pregame routine?
Lilah: I listen to pump up music in the car on the way to the game.
Kendall: My teammates and I do the typical layup lines and shooting. We also have a pregame cheer which pumps everyone up.
What is your favorite sports memory?
Lilah: Winning the sixth grade BTBL Army championship this year with my friends and teammates after coming up just short the last couple of years.
Kendall:Winning the championship for sixth grade girls basketball at Moriah and winning the CMEK sixth grade girls championship in the same year. We lost in the CMEK championship in fifth grade and it felt good to come back and win it the next year.
What is your funniest sports memory?
Lilah: Playing human subway surfers with my AYSO United teammates after soccer practice.
Kendall:When I first started playing basketball I used to forget that I had to dribble and I would walk with the ball all the time. Thankfully, those times are behind me!
What do you like to do when you are not playing sports?
Lilah: I like watching TV and hanging out with my family, friends and cousins.
Kendall: Dance and hang out with friends.
What is the best thing about being a Sportstar?
Lilah: I love that I get to share it with my teammate Kendall.
Kendall: Showing how I improved in sports over the last year and if I can do it anyone can do it!
The Humble Toast Sportstar of the Week will receive a $25 gift card to The Humble Toast. Please send nominees for an upcoming The Humble Toast Jewish Link Sportstar of the Week to [email protected]
