April 26, 2012 | 8:31 am

Basketball Stories (College and Pro)

Posted by Jeremy Fine

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The Wizards know one thing for sure, their President Ernie Grunfeld will be back with the team next year. Click HERE to read more.

Over the last couple of months Bruce Pearl’s name has been popping up in the news. To our knowledge he still does not have intent on coaching anytime soon.

Showing his softer side, Pearl showed love for Pat Summit who is leaving the Tennessee Women’s team this year. Click HERE to read more.



He also apologized for what he did to the University of Illinois, which really put him on the map. Pearl was a whistle blower against Deon Thomas signing with the Illini. Read more HERE.



It looks like Pearl’s time off has him deep in thought. I really hope he gets a second chance at coaching some time in the near future.

Virginia Tech has let go of their coach Seth Greenberg. With Bruce Pearl’s exit last year, Greenberg and Josh Pastner are the two coaches with the most high profile jobs. Now Pastner will have to carry the load. Greenberg should land on his feet somewhere soon. Click HERE to read more.

28 teams representing 16 schools descended upon University of Maryland this past weekend for three days celebrating basketball, Shabbat and Jewish comradery. The weekend began with students arriving at UMD Friday afternoon, followed by Orthodox, Conservative and Reform Shabbat services occurring in respective places. Saturday provided players and fans with plenty of activities. In addition to services in the morning, such events as a Maryland football scrimmage and a music festival were offered to all. But by 8:30 PM Saturday night, game time had approached. Men’s and women’s Teams from schools such as Cornell, Brandeis, Yeshiva University, New York University, Rutgers, Miami, Barnard and Stern began round robin play, with each team playing three games to determine seeding. Sunday saw bracket play with teams eliminating one another until the final champion stood alone. On the men’s side, a Yeshiva University team captained by 6”1 senior Steven Ritholtz, the second place team from the 2011 tournament, came out on top against the Jonah Weisel-led Maryland team. On the women’s side, a University of Maryland team captained by 5”6 sophomore Danielle Miller beat the University of Pennsylvania team. Leading up to the tournament, each team was responsible for raising $1200 to finance food and jerseys. Although from an outside perspective the weekend seemed to emphasize competition and rivalry, it resulted in a whole lot more. The weekend wasn’t about Reform vs. Conservative vs. Orthodox, but about Jews being united through something as simple as basketball. Scott Scheff, a sophomore guard playing for Columbia, put it best when he said, “It’s really great to see so many people and have the chance to meet new people.” Maryland sophomore guard Josh Rappaport stated, “It was fun and surprisingly competitive, but, at the end of the day, it was a great way to bring Jewish college students together. For me, and I’m sure many others would echo this, it was just as great to play competitive, organized ball again as it was to hang out with all my friends that were here representing their respective schools.” At the end of the day, the tournament was not only about basketball, but about bringing together young college Jews in a natural forum.
- Elan Kane



And finally An Israeli team has brought in Bernie Fine as a consultant. 

April 16, 2012 | 1:12 pm

Jewish Stories From Around the Sports World

Posted by Jeremy Fine

Coach Bobby Valentine had some not so inspiring words for Kevin Youkilis. Youkilis disagrees. Read more HERE.

Big Mazel Tov to the NWA Champion Colt Cabana. This is Colt’s second title reign in NWA. With Colt as NWA champ and CM Punk as the WWE Champ it looks like Chicago truly has the Best Wrestlers in the World. Click HERE to read more.

Rumor has it Ian Kinsler and the Texas Rangers have agreed to a monster contract. Read more HERE.

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April 6, 2012 | 5:21 am

Rough Way to Start the Season

Posted by Jeremy Fine

Two tough breaks for the Jewish baseball world.

First the Dodgers demoted John Grabow who then opted out of his deal. Click HERE to read more. Grabow was beaten out for the last spot in the bullpen by Jamey Wright, despite not allowing a run during spring training.

 Secondly, Sam Fuld will begin the season the DL due to wrist surgery. He should miss 4-5 months. Click HERE to learn more. Looks like no Super Sam highlights this season.

Lets hope for better results and news soon.

And Let Us Say…Amen.
- Jeremy Fine

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April 6, 2012 | 5:21 am

Frisch Wrestler Becomes Michigan Quarterback

Posted by Jeremy Fine

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April 6, 2012 | 5:20 am

Jewish HS Wrap-up 2011/12

Posted by Jeremy Fine

The YULA Panthers finish the 2011-2012 season as the #1 team in the Jewish Hoops America National Top 25.

Dave Winik’s squad, led by seniors Jack Gindi, Yisroel Solomon, Matt Reich and Gavriel Stark, defeated SAR, 45-35, Monday in the final of the Sarachek Tournament, avenging an overtime loss to the Sting last month and a loss in last year’s Sarachek final.

Frisch had spent one week in the top spot after its victory over previous #1 SAR in the Yeshiva League championship game. Both YULA (27-7) and SAR (29-5) overtook Frisch at the top of the poll after the Cougars (24-7) fell to Shalhevet in the Sarachek quarterfinals and to North Shore in the 5th Place game.

YULA’s season included a 10-1 record against other Jewish high schools and titles at all four tournaments they played in: the Cooper Invitational in Memphis, where they beat MTA in the semifinals and Ida Crown in the final; the Milken Classic, the Hillcrest Christian Holiday Tournament and Sarachek.

The Panthers held the top spot in the rankings for most of the season until their loss to SAR in Los Angeles last month. MTA’s 3rd place finish at Sarachek gave the Lions the #4 ranking in the poll. Shalhevet, which lost to YULA in overtime in the semifinals,  jumped three spots to #7.

Jewish Hoops America tracks 80 boys high school teams around the United States and Canada and the rankings are determined by a panel of voters across North America. 

Previous #1 Ranked Teams

2011 - Flatbush Falcons
2010 - Tarbut vTorah Lions
2009 - HANC Hurricanes
2008 - Ida Crown Aces
2007 - YULA Panthers

1.YULA/Los Angeles,CA (11)............27-7

2.SAR/Bronx,NY. ..............................29-5

3.Frisch/Paramus,NJ….........................24-7

4.MTA/New York,NY….....................21-7

5.North Shore HA/Great Neck,NY…...23-8

6.Magen David/Brooklyn,NY…............17-7

7.Shalhevet/Los Angeles,CA…..............18-11

8.DRS/Lawrence,NY….........................17-7

9.Ida Crown/Chicago,IL….....................17-13

10.Ramaz/New York,NY…...................21-6

11.Beren Academy/Houston,TX….........28-9

12.Milken/Los Angeles,CA….................16-8

13.Yavneh Academy/Dallas,TX…..........25-11

14.Cooper Yeshiva/Memphis,TN…........27-5

15.JEC/Elizabeth,NJ…...........................16-9

16.New Community Jewish/LA ,CA…....17-11

17.Weinbaum Yeshiva/Boca,FL…...........14-10

18.Fasman Yeshiva/Skokie,IL…..............14-11

19.HAFTR/Cedarhurst,NY…..................11-12

20.Chicagoland Jewish/Chicago,IL….......11-15

21.Donna Klein JA/Boca ,FL*................15-4

22.Denver JDS/Denver,CO….................15-7

23.San Diego JA/San Diego,CA…..........14-11

24.Hillel/Deal,NJ….................................9-11

25.Shaare Torah/Brooklyn,NY…...........10-13

Others receiving votes: TABC, 11; Herzliah, 10; Jewish Day School-MD, 7;  Maimonides, 5; Valley Torah, 5; Beth Tfiloh, 3; Or Chaim Toronto, 3;  Hyman Brand HA-Kansas, 2; JCHS-San Francisco, 2.

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