Basketball enthusiasts in day-long tournament for NCSY

With spring weather settling in for good, over a thousand basketball enthusiasts gathered at Lawrence High School on May 1. The event brought competitors from a variety of age groups and local schools, in total playing more than 30 games throughout the day. “This year the competition was fierce and the turnout from the community was greater than ever before,” said event organizer Elliot Steinmetz. Players arrived from as far away as New Jersey and Suffolk county to face off for the prize and contribute to NCSY’s youth programs.

Proceeds from the tournament serve to benefit programs of the New York chapter of NCSY, the Orthodox Union’s youth services division. Examples of such programs include scholarships for students to study their post-high school year in Israel. “This summer, we are sending 65 kids from unaffiliated homes to study in Israel and for many it’s their first Shabbat experience and their first time in Israel,” said New York NCSY Director Rabbi Aryeh Lightstone.

The day-long tournament pitted 225 players against each other, including teams from high schools, alumni teams, and other five-person combinations. “It is our fifth year and it’s probably the most competitive five-on-five tournament in the Orthodox world today,” Rabbi Lightstone said. As a result, some players found themselves on the waiting list, while others made the final round by lottery more than merit.

The final championship game pitted the Lobos, a Five Towns team, against Team Excellent Bus Service, which comprised of Ramaz High School alumni from Manhattan and New Jersey. “The finals had a more yeshivish team against a Ramaz team and they’ve never played each other before,” Rabbi Lightstone said. “It was a close game and the local team won.” The Lobos comprised of Dani Rosenthal, Asher Jungreiss, Shuei Feldberg, Chaim Abramson, Zanvy Grauman, Effy Lowy, and Yissacher Feldberg.

Towards the late afternoon, the event included a barbecue and a magic show with balloons, face painting, and a raffle for a trip to Israel. “It was a day of games from eight in the morning until six at night,” said Rabbi Lightstone.