Goldstein Leads USA at Maccabis

After starring this summer in the U.S. Maccabi Games held in Baltimore, local Palisadian Jonathan Goldstein was invited to play Basketball on the USA National team competing in the 11th Pan American Maccabi games in Buenos Aires. The Games are held every other year in South America. At age14, Goldstein was the youngest player ever to start on the 16 and under USA team. Goldstein’s team members included: Travis Warech (New Jersey), John Kalin (New Jersey), Ben Resner (New York), Zach Libresco (New York), Kevin Baker (Massachusetts), Holden Collick (New York), Luke Silverman-Lloyd (California), Robert Fink (Pennsylvania), Lorenzo Cohen (California), Zak Elfenbein (Florida), and Matt Goldman (New York). Team USA went 5-0 to win the gold medal, beating Canada 63-51 in the finals. To reach to the finals, Team USA had to face two Argentina teams, Venezuela, and Columbia. USA Coach Brian Schiff is now 29-0 with the 16-and-under national team. Team USA was selected in the summer after various tryouts held around the country. A mini-camp was conducted in late September in Philadelphia so the players could get to know each other. In November, the team was sent a playbook to study the offensive and defensive plays. On December 19 the team met again for a training camp before departing for Argentina. In addition to practicing, Team USA met Brandon Lang, a former Palisadian and caddie at Riviera Country Club who inspired the movie ‘Two for the Money,’ and Philadelphia Eagles Head Coach Andy Reed. The team toured the Eagles’ practice facility and watched from the fourth row of the Wachovia Center as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Philadelphia 76’ers. Adding to their ‘Philadelphia’ experience, these 12 medal-seeking basketball players devoured Philly cheese steaks. Following an 11-hour flight from New York, Team USA arrived in Argentina. Athletes from around the world were escorted through the city of Buenos Aires by ground and air police patrols. A total of 500 USA athletes participating in 31 different sports took over the Sheraton hotel. Team USA’s Basketball games were held at CENARD–the same gym in which NBA superstar Manu Ginobili grew up playing basketball. Goldstein is eligible to play again in July 2009 when the 18th Maccabiah games are held in Israel.