We are really excited to kick off the CJDS basketball season! Week one of practice went smoothly, and the season looks promising for all three of our Rams teams. This year, a student manager program has been introduced for Grade 5 students, allowing them to be full participants in practice and attend all games on the bench, helping to keep stats and learn about the game in real time. This program will prepare the kids to be active roster players in Grade 6, already familiar with the plays and possessing improved skills and understanding of the game.

For our boys JV and Varsity teams, we are excited to have Coach Zo! Coach Zo is a passionate and experienced basketball coach dedicated to developing young athletes on and off the court. He has led teams in multiple playoff and championship runs in the Big Chicago and Northside Basketball leagues and also coaches AAU basketball in the summer, earning several one-day shootout championships and the Team Rose Mother’s Day Classic title. Last season, Coach Zo coached the NBL team at Blaine Elementary, winning both the MLK Classic and the Thanksgiving Classic, while also working for Chicago Public Schools (CPS). He looks forward to serving as the head JV and Varsity boys' basketball coach at Chicago Jewish Day School, where he will build a winning culture focused on teamwork, discipline, and growth.

The girls' team will continue under the leadership of Coach Bob Goldwin, a Grade 5 Teacher and experienced girls' basketball coach. He will be coaching the team for the third year and has approximately 20 years of experience in girls' basketball. Last year, Coach Bob led the Rams to a second-place finish in their league!