November 27 was RYNJ Night at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. More than 240 RYNJ fans were in attendance for the Nets vs. Kings game. However, those fans and the other 15,000 fans at the Barclays Center were NOT discouraged watching the Nets lose. They were instead impressed with the RYNJ 8th grade boys’ basketball team, who played on the beautiful shiny center stage hardwood court for the halftime show. All 17 members of the team played on the court and dazzled the crowd with great ball handling skills, rebounding and drives to the basket. While the full crowd was complimentary of the athleticism, many also noted the incredible sportsmanship, teamwork, collaboration and sensitivity displayed throughout the arena. Displaying tremendous teamwork, the boys often preferred to pass to each other instead of taking wide open shots under the basket. Fifteen baskets were scored as the crowd cheered the Jaguars on. The game was displayed on the jumbotron large screen and the official Nets broadcaster called out each name as the RYNJ players scored baskets. It was a great Kiddush Hashem as the boys proudly displayed their kippahs and represented the yeshiva well.
The referee was coach Steve Gutlove and one of the teams was coached on the court by RYNJ Assistant Principal Rabbi Avi Bernstein, Azi Mandel, Brian Gopin, Jackie Fleischman, Aryeh Glatter and Yechiel Engel. Allen Pfeiffer was the spotter providing the announcer with the names of each player. The teams were Tzvi Motechin, Eli Dock, Isaac Rubenstein, Avraham Glatter, Daniel Kroopnick, Shimon Staum, Azriel Goldberg and Yosef Fleischman against Yonah Tarzik, Dani Pfeiffer, Daniel Gopin, Shai Friedman, Coby Mandel, Benzion Rotblat, Zachary Amos Mordechai Gelernter and Tani Engel. Everyone had a great time as part of an unforgettable experience.
Sixteen other RYNJ boys had the privilege to be part of the opening game ceremonies as well. They stood on the court as part of the High Five line for player introductions, and received hugs from some of the NBA players. In addition, ten RYNJ boys and girls stood on center court for the national anthem alongside the players. This is the second time that RYNJ took over the court at the Barclays Center, the first being in March 2015.
