Maccabi Rishon LeZion Crowned Youth Champions in Israel Tournament

Maccabi Itzik Rishon LeZion has won the Maccabi Israel Youth Tournament, defeating Maccabi Omer Rehovot 95-73 in the final. In the girls' division, Maccabi Ra'anana emerged victorious, overcoming Maccabi Noah Tel Aviv 70-59 in overtime. Itay Lev from Maccabi Rishon LeZion was named the boys' MVP for his near triple-double performance, scoring 20 points, grabbing 9 rebounds, and dishing out 9 assists. Rona Tzalel of Maccabi Ra'anana earned the girls' MVP award with an impressive 20 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists in the final.

Both winning teams received a package of physical assessment and performance improvement tests valued at 10,000 shekels each, sponsored by Maccabi Israel and Vortex. The MVP players received a 300 shekel prize for purchases at Maccabi Market, courtesy of Energy-Bas-Gal.

The finals concluded three days of successful competition and training camp at the Maccabi Israel MBC, held at the Maccabiah Village. The event featured 11 youth and girls' teams from the Premier League, including Maccabi Tel Aviv, Maccabi Haifa, Maccabi Ashdod, Maccabi Rishon LeZion, Maccabi Rehovot, Maccabi Ra'anana, AS Ramat Hasharon, Bnei Herzliya, and Maccabi Modi'in Reut. The participants also enjoyed a festive Shabbat reception led by Maccabi Israel CEO Naor Galili.

Prior to the finals, Maccabi Teddy Tel Aviv secured third place in the boys' tournament by defeating Bnei Herzliya 69-39. AS Ramat Hasharon took third place in the girls' tournament, beating Maccabi Haifa 45-37.

The awards were presented by various Maccabi Israel officials, including Chairman Yigal Carmi and CEO Naor Galili, along with representatives from the Basketball Association and the Women's League. The tournament was supported by the Ministry of Culture and Sport, the Basketball Association, and the Women's League management.

Naor Galili summarized the event as an "extraordinary weekend that gave much honor to the future generation of Israeli basketball." He praised the professional tournament and training camp, expressing Maccabi Israel's pride in leading Israeli sports and highlighting the 11 excellent teams and players representing the future of Israeli basketball. He thanked the staff for the "wonderful production" and wished everyone a successful season.