As the Yeshiva Middle Schools Sports Association tips off for its seventh season, it is a great time to preview the teams that will compete for the championship. Last season eighth grade championship game showcased the Moriah Mountaineers vs the SAR Sting, with the SAR Sting taking the championship. There are a lot of teams that have the talent to win it this year, but who will take it?
The defending champions SAR Sting are anchored by center Sammy Teplitsky, surrounded by talented players Eytan Slasky, Yaakov Solomon and Jacob Klestzick. Last year this crew had a 9-1 regular season record and dominated their opponents with their inside and outside presence. They are the favorites to win the championship and should be very hard to beat.
Moriah, with their 7-3 record last year, will once again be reliant on the scoring of Shmoozie Rosen, who is arguably the best player in the league. He is surrounded by a group of talented teammates who come up with clutch baskets when needed. They will be looking to return to the championship again this year, but will it a different result this year?
The RYNJ Jaguars finished with an 6-4 record and are looking to win their first ever boys basketball league championship. Although missing some of last years depth, the Jags have a very strong starting five of Ari Herman, Gilad Jutkowitz, Eytan Kirschenbaum, Binyamin Wenger and Koby Wolk. They will have to carry the team if they want to have a chance to win their first basketball banner.
The Yavneh Academy RedHawks come in this year’s season as the real sleeper of the division. They have very good guard play led by David Grunstein and skilled forwards Kenny Koenig and Joshua Markowitz. They also have the inside presence and rebounding of Ezra Berkowitz. Will this be enough to improve on their 3-7 record from last season?
The Yeshivat Noam Knights will be looking to improve on last year’s finish. Lead by guard Jake Glick and the interior play of Hudi Shatzkes, Noam will have a steep task ahead of them as they look to three-peat as eighth grade YMMSA champions
You can’t teach size and Yeshivat Ben Porat Yosef has that in Judah and Jack Lopkin. They will have to rely on the twins if they want to improve on last year’s record.
Who will win, nobody knows. But what we do know is that it will be a very exciting season! You can follow all of the YMSSA action at http://ymssa.com/
