IN THE SPAN OF 24 HOURS, TWO FLATBUSH FALCONS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BASKETBALL TEAMS CLAIMED THE YESHIVA LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP MAKING THIS THE MOST SUCCESSFUL MIDDLE SCHOOL SEASON IN RECENT MEMORY.
For the second straight year, the Yeshivah of Flatbush Boys 7th Grade Basketball team captured the Metropolitan Jewish Day School Basketball Championship, defeating HALB, 42 to 34 at HAFTR (Hebrew Academy of Five Towns and Rockaway).
The Falcons jumped out to an early lead and never trailed, using a balanced attack and relentless defense to take the victory. Fourth year Coach Abie Rosow (ES ‘13, HS ‘17), talked about the game plan, “Our game plan was to do what we have been doing all year, focusing on being the best we could be defensively. I’m proud of our guys for how hard they go in practice and I think that fueled us to get off to a good start tonight.”
Joe B. led the team with 16 points, Jacob B. added 14, Jacob L. 5, Joe F. 4 and Ray B. 3.
“We relied on our defense and our poise to hold the lead,” continued Rosow. “We didn’t get rattled when things didn’t go our way. Staying composed and ‘next play’ mentality has been stressed all year.”
When asked about the team’s focus on winning the championship from day one, Rosow concluded, “there have been points here and there but we rarely spoke about that. What we talk about is the journey and the process and doing things the right way day in and day out — the result will take care of itself.”
The following day, the Boys 6th Grade Basketball team needed some extra minutes, but still defeated Yeshiva Har Torah (YHT), 65 to 60, in overtime, before a packed crowd at North Shore High School.
Morris A. powered the Falcons with a game high of 26 points but did not do it alone. Elliot A.’s three-point basket at the start of overtime gave Flatbush the lead and they did not relinquish it. “It was definitely our toughest and most challenging game of the season,” said winning coach Gus Kennedy. “All of our guys played with so much heart and resiliency. They refused to lose, especially to a well-coached and talented team like YHT.”
Flatbush lost only one game all season and the Falcons’ fans and supporters surrounded the team in celebration when the buzzer sounded.
“I’m so proud of our team, and the commitment they and their parents made, to earn a championship. For many of them, it’s the first team they’ve ever played on, so now they understand what it takes to be successful,” shared Athletics Director Barry Neuberger.
