Twin championships for the HAFTR Hawks

Both eighth-grade basketball teams, boys’ and girls’ for the Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway Middle School captured championships last month.

On March 15, the girls, undefeated for the past three seasons, took on the North Shore Stars and extended the winning streak to 36 games. That’s three consecutive titles for coach Neil Wiener and his players.

Exactly a week later, the boys, who went undefeated this season, matched up against the Magen David Warriors. A stifling defense and a fast-paced offense led the Hawks, coached by Joey Hoenig and assistant Leroy Samuel, to a second straight crown.

The girls team includes Layla Appel, Hannah Goldenberg, Devorah Gottesman, Shirly Gottlieb, Elizabeth Gurtman, Arianne Horowitz, Rachel Koenig, Sophia Margalit, Hannah Neirenberg, Ruthee Rosner, Grace Sharon, Penelope Silber, Megan Spivak and Abigail Wiener.

The boys team includes Adir Rauchwerger, Aiden Zrihen, AJ Solinski, Avery Kaufman, Benji Ambalo, Daniel Bengelsdorf, Eitan Saffra, Haimy Salem, Isaac Thurm, Marc Talansky, Matthew Macanian and Roni Cohen.