The inaugural HSL Youth Boys basketball season concluded in Little Neck with a thrilling championship day sponsored by Main Street favorite Annie’s Kitchen, featuring teams from local yeshivahs, including host Yeshiva Har Torah. The league, serving students from grades 3 to 8, focused on skill-building and sportsmanship, and providing an inclusive environment for all participants.
Commissioner Avi Adelman reflected on the success of the season, sharing that HSL’s goal is to offer every child a positive experience. Avi’s inspiration to start youth sports leagues stemmed from his own lack of opportunities as a child in Brooklyn. Over the years, he’s worked with children in various settings, including a decade at Camp Romimu where he focused on helping children grow in confidence, physical activity, and character, particularly in their midos tovos and sportsmanship. As commissioner, Avi oversees all HSL sports leagues, emphasizing confidence-building and character development with 1-1 training and coaching clinics.
Youth Director and Head Coach Eli Jaroslawicz expressed satisfaction with the sports clinics and scrimmages particularly for younger players, 8- to 9-year-olds, who found them rewarding. Eli aims to develop well-rounded athletes by focusing on fundamentals across various sports.
The first season saw 65 children in sports clinics and 90 players in the basketball league. Despite some challenges, the administration worked hard to balance teams fairly, ensuring a positive experience.
Looking ahead, Eli plans to improve staffing and coaching to continue fostering growth and fairness among returning players. The season ended with positive feedback, highlighting the league’s commitment to fun and development.
“From Pre-K through 8th grade, in both our boys and girls programs, all of the kids walked away with smiling faces,” remarked Avi. “We love the competition, but our special focus is on building skills and confidence and providing the HSL commitment to fun and development.”
Championship Results:
- 3rd-5th Grade Championship: Adam Mermelstein DDS won 30-14 over Annie’s Kitchen, after a semifinals triumph over MS Motors. Though Annie’s Kitchen kept the game close with standout plays from Zacky Lazorovics and Yaakov Fried, along with strong defense from the Pollack brothers, Elisha Shamsayev led the charge with 12 points, followed by Binyamin Sdayeb with 8 and Jonathan Leviyev with 6.
6th-8th Grade Championship: Day3 Media triumphed 33-13 against Watts Up Electric, with Championship MVP Menachem Bruckner scoring 14 points (supported by teammates Benny Ganz and Noam Neuman), despite a spirited comeback by Watts Up after an early 9-0 run by Day3. Special recognition goes to Watts Up Electric star player Moishe Diamantstein who scored an impressive 30 points in a regular-season game against Day3 Media. A third-place game was also held between Wall Street Grill and NYC Floor Pro. Dr. JA Bruckner, coach of the Day3 Media team and father to players and Yeshiva Ketana of Queens students Ephraim, 6, and Menachem, 8, praised the league’s focus on community and player development. “Coaching alongside my father, Dr. Lawrence Bruckner of Plainview, and watching my sons grow on the court was a privilege,” expressed Bruckner, a YIQV member who previously coached hockey and baseball. “Special thanks to league coordinators Avi Adelman and Dovid Gottlieb for making adjustments throughout the season, as necessary.”
As the season wrapped up, Adelman expressed gratitude to staff and sponsors, eagerly anticipating the upcoming winter season. The league’s commitment to creating a fun, competitive, and inclusive environment left players, coaches, and fans excited for the winter season.
2024 HSL Playoff Teams:
- Day3 Media (Coach: Dr. JA Bruckner) Team: Ephraim and Menachem Bruckner, Akiva Eisenberg, Benny Ganz, Moshe and Yisroel Kaplovits, Noam Neuman, Chaim Kramer
- Watts Up Electric (Coach: Avi Yagudayev) Team: David Yagudayev, Yisroel Borohov, Moishe Diamantstein, Elchanon Krikheli, Binyamin and Ethan Niyazov, Yitzchok Ustayev
- Annie’s Kitchen (Coach: Chaim Assor) Team: Yaakov Fried, Zacky Lazarovics, Shalom and Shmuel Pollack, Avi Rosenbaum, Yisroel Tropper, Shua Turkel
- Adam Mermelstein DDS (Coach: Elan Shamsayev) Team: Sefie Gabai, Jonathan Leviyev, Binyamin Sdayeb, Elisha Shamsayev, Elnatan Simhayev, Yehonatan Tugender
Memories of HSL Youth Boys basketball’s opening season set the stage for even more exciting experiences in the future.
