Boys Basketball:
This season, all three of the boys basketball teams made the playoffs, with two of them also advancing to the PVAC Championship game. The middle school boys gained valuable lessons and experiences throughout the season through their multiple games, according to eighth grader Zach Koplow. Although they lost in the first round of the playoffs, the team used this opportunity to learn and grow.
“Each practice was super important because we got better at our plays and it helped our offense work better,” Koplow said.
The JV boys basketball team remained undefeated in in-conference games and carried that all the way through to the PVAC
championship, winning 61-39 against St. Anslems.
Varsity focused heavily on preparation during practices, working to execute offensive sets and strengthen help defense principles. Senior and captain Leo Steindecker is proud of the team’s consistency and progress throughout the season. Over time, the team developed stronger chemistry.
The varsity team were regular-season co-champions and advanced to the championship against Sandy Spring Friends School, where they fell short 59-45. Throughout the season, they emphasized teamwork and trust, building close relationships off the court as well. By the end of the year, the group had not only became regular season co-champions, but also formed lasting memories together.
“Although we did not win the championship, we got past the semis, something we hadn’t done in a while, and won the regular season,” Steindecker said.
Girls Basketball:
This was the fourth season in a row where the varsity girls made it to the PVAC Championship, which Athletic Director and Head Coach Becky Silberman is very proud of. Every year, going into the season, it is unknown what the competition will be like. The girls’ basketball season began in early December, with practices focused on conditioning, drills and preparing for the season ahead. Silberman said the girls varsity season went very well.
Despite the loss against Melvin J. Berman Hebrew Academy Berman in the PVAC Championship game, Silberman is proud of the bonding and growth as a team that happened this season.
“How the season ended is not reflective of the team as a whole and the effort that went into the season,” Silberman said.
Silberman is excited for the next season and to see how the current juniors take on new responsibilities on the team. Junior varsity consisted of freshmen and sophomores, many of whom were first-time high school players. Throughout the season, the team faced experienced teams, but used each game as a lesson to develop fundamentals.
Like the other teams, middle school girls basketball had a chance this season to grow their skills, but lost to Berman in the first round of the playoffs, according to head coach Brett Kugler.
“Once everybody understood their role that was really the big turnaround for us,” Kugler said.
Wrestling:
The wrestling team practice four days a week across the street from school at Pure Performance.
At these practices, they participate in physical conditioning and training exercises. These training exercises included practicing techniques and take-downs.
The overall season consisted of matches against other schools and tournaments. The team went to the Mid-Atlantic Wrestling League tournament where they not only expanded their skills but also bonded. Junior Jonah Soffler placed gold for his weight class.
Despite the individual performances, Sophomore Emmanuel Sarantos loves the community that the wrestling team has given.
“Wrestling is a sport which requires diligence, and surprisingly, more than just being the strongest person on the field. It takes strategy,” Sarantos said.
Winter Track:
Unlike other sports during the winter season, winter track is primarily preparation for the spring season. The team consists of both high school and middle school students. This season was shorter than previous seasons due to severe snowstorms and abrupt schedule changes.
Despite these challenges, Head Coach Shayna Held found this season to be very important because the team completed the task they needed to, preparing themselves for the outdoor spring season. Held is proud that, despite the weather obstacles, they were still able to hold two meets at Berman, which were intrasquad, meaning only against themselves.
“Track is accessible; you don’t need any fancy equipment to do it,” Held said. “You don’t need any skill set going into it. And also, it accepts all different kinds of people. It accepts people who’ve got good endurance and it also accepts people who don’t necessarily have good endurance.”
Swim:
This season, the swim team spent the winter training consistently and preparing for meets.
The team practice twice a week, meeting on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Bender Jewish Community Center. The team practices outside, where they focus on building endurance, refining technique and improving their times.
Throughout the season, the team competed in multiple meets at both the middle school and high school levels. There were two high school meets and two middle school meets. While the team has not secured a win this season, each meet provides swimmers with the opportunity to gain experience and measure their progress.
“I really love that although it’s a small team, at meets we all always hype each other up and cheer each other on,” freshman Shoshana Halissey said.
Dance:
The dance team, led by senior and captains Vivi Ducker and Ella Arking, performed three times this past season. The first performance took place during Kabbalat Shabbat, the sec-
ond was during the opening ceremony of the Capital Jewish Hoops Invitational Basketball Tournament and the third and final performance took place during senior night.
Sophomore Eden Kotok said that her favorite part of the season was having fun with her friends during practice. The dance team practiced three times a week, either in the dining hall or at the JCC.
“I feel really connected to the team and practice always cheers me up,” Kotok said. “It was fun celebrating the seniors at senior night and sending them off.”
