The West Orange Cobras, part of the town’s Mountain Top League, are going to the big dance! The team went 7-1 in the regular season and defeated a variety of public school teams in town. The Cobras, coached by team parent and longtime coach Joseph Rozehzadeh, include children from the Jewish Educational Center of Elizabeth and the Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy of Livingston.

“The most important thing that these kids have accomplished besides winning and making it to the championship is the kiddush Hashem that they have done by showing us how to act as ‘yidden’ by wearing thier kippot during every game and by thanking every ref after each game,” said Coach Rozehzadeh. “I must also mention they are a true team as they were so excited and determined to make sure all the kids had an opportunity to score,” the coach continued.

The team played spectacularly as a whole, with standout performances by several of the individual players. Ikey Rozehzadeh provided great rebounding and scoring—even coming away with a double/double. ‘Big man’ Zachary Younger was strong on defense during every game. Rami Rozehzadeh was the team’s main scorer, with layups as well as long range 3s. Finally, starters Jacob Shapiro and Koby Shulman played selfless basketball each and every game.

The team consists of 12 players, with each bringing his own special skills to the game: Eli Brickman, Rami Rozehzadeh, Dani Bank, Samuel Cohen, Roey Novick, Ikey Rozehzadeh, Jacob Shapiro, Koby Shulman, Ethan Sinnreich, Samson Stone, Joshua Teich, and Zachary Younger.

By Jill Kirsch