JCC State of Mind: February 28, 2025 – Harry B. Davis Championships

Following the pandemic, the world faced countless uncertainties.  How many times did each of us ask ourselves what would the “new normal” look like?  Would sports and athletics remain a staple of community life? The pandemic’s impact was particularly profound for young athletes, whose education, social interactions, and athletic pursuits had all been disrupted.  At the JCC, we recognized the critical importance of creating a safe and supportive environment to restore a sense of normalcy for these athletes. We prioritized rebuilding our basketball kehillah (community), which had been a cornerstone of the JCC experience since 1909 and was deeply missed during the pandemic.

Fast-forward to February 24, 2025, when we concluded the 2024-25 travel basketball season with a scrimmage between our Varsity and Junior Varsity teams and marked the beginning of a new tradition – Senior Night. This year, we honored 11 seniors who have been dedicated members of our program throughout their high school careers. While the game resulted in a Varsity win, its significance extended far beyond the scoreboard.  It was a testament to the resilience, perseverance, sportsmanship and personal growth we have fostered over the years.  During halftime, each senior athlete was recognized individually and showered with cheers and applause from a crowd of parents and friends.  After the game, we celebrated their achievements and looked ahead to the bright futures that await them.

We could not be prouder of our seniors and all of their accomplishments on and off the court.  We have had the privilege of watching these players grow throughout their high school careers, witnessing the development of their leadership and mentorship skills.  Many of them have taken on coaching roles in our weekend youth basketball clinics, passing down their skills, love for the game, and deep sense of kehillah to the youngest players at the JCC.

And on Monday evening, March 3, all of our coaches will officially close out their JCC basketball careers, leading the 3rd-8th graders in the BIG MONDAY Harry B. Davis Championship Games. As our current 8th graders prepare to move up to the JCC’s travel teams next year and begin to explore future coaching opportunities, our 3rd-7th graders will continue growing within our clinics, strengthening their love for the game and actively engaging in their respective basketball kehillahs.

We hope to see you in the Robinson Gymnasium on BIG MONDAY to cheer on our JCC athletes and to witness firsthand the powerful force basketball can be in building community and bringing people together through shared passion, teamwork, and competition.

Wishing you and your families a Shabbat shalom,

Brandi & Sophie

P.S. The competition doesn’t stop on the court—tomorrow, we’ll all go for gold at Big Night, the JCC’s 19th annual fundraising event! Just like the Olympics, this celebration is about unity, perseverance, and striving for greatness together. Big Night is our biggest “party with a purpose,” bringing the community together to support the programs that make the JCC a champion for all. Even if you can’t join us in person, you can still be a winner—our Silent Auction and Raffle are online, and you don’t have to be present to win! Step onto the podium and get in the game HERE.