MGBL Championship Sunday saw the second grade final featuring the top seeded Nina Eizikovitz-Links Residential taking on the second seed Growing Smiles. The girls had previously played to a draw earlier in the season and from the outset it looked to be another well-contested match up. With stellar defense all around, the first half ended with Nina Eizikovitz-Links Residential with a small 6-5 lead. Maayan Teitelman added to the lead with the only basket of the third quarter and it looked like it was going to be another nail-biter. In the final quarter however, Emmy Eizikovitz caught fire, scoring five straight baskets to put the game out of reach. Thank you to the coaches for their great work all season long and to all of the parents and relatives who came out to cheer on the girls. An extra special thank you to Alan White who went above and beyond as second grade referee this season. From the pregame huddles to instruction during the games, White’s patience and humor helped the girls gain a tremendous amount of skill and confidence while having so much fun.
As the playoffs approached in the 3/4 division of MGBL, The Rothenberg Law Firm team was feeling confident. They finished the regular season with a 7-0 record and were poised and ready for the playoffs. As the first playoff game neared, the team found out that their leading scorer was sick and would miss the game. The game started with Team Marc@Links opening a 12-4 lead at the end of the first quarter, and The Rothenberg Law Firm squad looking dejected. After some words of encouragement from the coaches, things started clicking, and slowly the lead began to shrink. Defensive efforts led by superstar defender Hodaya Ciner helped cause numerous turnovers, and timely shooting and scoring from Arielle Fleischman and Aliza Neiss brought the team back and made it a close game by the fourth quarter. By the middle of the fourth quarter, many spectators had gathered to watch from both earlier and upcoming games, and the intensity in the gym was palpable. With 11 seconds left, Team Marc@Links made a foul shot to go up one. With no time-outs left, Ciner drove to the basket and was fouled with three seconds to go. After missing the first foul shot, and with all the pressure mounting, she calmly made the second foul shot, saving the season, and sending the game into OT. In OT, a big basket by Fleischman and a foul shot by Neiss helped seal the game.
In the second round of the playoffs, the team welcomed back their leading scorer Meira Walzman. However, this game against CBRE The Klapper and Berger team proved to be a very tough game as well. Both teams fought hard from beginning to end, and in a close game, The Rothenberg Law firm was able to persevere and make it to the title game against V&N Realty, which proved to be a classic. Both The Rothenberg Law Firm and V&N Realty fought from the opening tip to the final horn, with maximum effort and energy. V&N Realty was led by Emmy Wallach, whose defensive intensity and pressure caused many turnovers leading to easy fast-break baskets. The Rothenberg Law firm was led by Walzman, Neiss and Fleischman on offense; Ciner, Ita Zauderer and Nili Rothenberg on defense; and strong all around play from Leora Hagler, Shayna Burack and Emily Chaitofsky. In the end, two clutch foul shots from Ciner sealed the victory for The Rothenberg Law Firm. Congratulations to the team on an amazing undefeated season, and special shout out to team MVP Meira Walzman
The 5/6 grade championship game saw the #1 seed, EmbroidMe, taking on the #4 seed, Yachad Teaneck Rocks. These two teams battled back and forth all game, and with just two minutes left, EmbroidMe took a 25-22 lead before Yachad’s Shayna Eizikovitz hit a foul shot and Esti Mallin scored to tie the game at 25 with just under a minute left. With seconds to go and fans and players at the edge of their seats, Avital Sebbag scored the game winner on a layup and Gavriella Adler scored two of her 14 points to lock in the championship for EmbroidMe and secure for herself MVP honors.
The 7/8 championship game pitted the top two seeds in the division, Cellectar Biosciences and the Mighty Macs and the game did not disappoint. The Mighty Macs defeated Cellectar Biosciences 36-33 avenging their only loss of the season. The game was close throughout. The first half started slow with the teams playing tight defense and limiting second chance opportunities. At the half, the Mighty Macs led 14-12. In the second half the teams heated up and the offenses took over. Cellectar was led by Samantha Pruzansky’s game high 19 points. She was helped by Danielle Beckoff (six points), Adira Shor (four points), Eliana Fisher and Leila Goldstein (two points each). The Mighty Macs had fairly balanced scoring with Kayla Nussbaum and Ilana Gilad each with team high 10 points, Alexa Bromberg and Baila Gopin (seven points each) and Amira Grossman (two points). Entering the final period the game was close. Pruzansky scored five straight points to give Cellectar the lead. But the Mighty Macs did not quit. Late baskets by Gopin, Gilad and Nussbaum kept it close. In the end clutch foul shooting from Nussbaum, Gilad and Bromberg helped the Mighty Macs seal the victory. Nussbaum and Gilad were named co-MVPs in the game.
