By Noah B., 6th Grade Student, Krieger Schechter Day School of Chizuk Amuno Congregation
At Krieger Schechter Day School of Chizuk Amuno Congregation, team sports are a highlight. Middle school student athletes meet several times each week for practices and games against students from other schools. As part of a sports team, students across grade levels forge friendships and strong bonds, learn to work cooperatively and support each other. This year’s basketball teams showcased these qualities better than ever.
At KSDS, basketball teams are determined based on students’ skills and grade level. The KSDS boys’ A team, with the highest skilled players, had a fantastic season, beating every team and narrowly missing a victory in a nail-biting tournament semifinal. In addition, the girls’ A team had a solid season, fighting hard in the tournament but also coming up short in the semi-finals.
Gideon R., a veteran 8th-grade basketball player on the A team stated, “It’s just a lot of fun to play with each other, and the more [the players] gel together, the more successful we become as a team.” Gideon led his team as the team captain into the tournament semifinal.
Gideon, who will graduate from KSDS in June, emphasized the fact that it is an emotional time. “It’s pretty sad. We were one of the better Schechter basketball teams,” he said.
Mike Foxwell, KSDS athletic director, could not pinpoint one season highlight but was instead impressed with the boys’ overall progress. “Just watching the boys grow and develop is a big highlight,” he said.
According to Shannon Cohen, KSDS gym teacher and coach of the 2018 girls’ A team, the highlight of the season was the way the team reacted during adversity. “They would respond to my coaching and not just get away from the game. They would come back and play well.”
Cohen also mentioned one of the season’s top challenges. “One major issue that occurred during the season was passing. The girls needed to understand that everyone on the court can contribute.” A former Loyola University basketball player, Cohen loves sports and is passionate about coaching.
Like many teams before them, this year’s basketball teams proved once again to work cohesively and cooperatively. KSDS students await many more winning seasons of team basketball!
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