Gray Academy of Jewish Education is thrilled to congratulate four varsity boys basketball teams from our founding high school, Joseph Wolinksy Collegiate (JWC), who will be inducted into the Manitoba Basketball Hall of Fame and Museum at a ceremony in Winnipeg on September 25, 2021. Having won more than three championships in six years, the JWC Raiders from 1982-83, 1983-84, 1985-86 and 1988-89 will all be included in the Hall of Fame Class of 2021.
 
When they learned the news, many of these legacy players (several of whom are current and past Gray Academy dads) expressed gratitude for the honour and for the important lessons they gained being part of a winning franchise, including teamwork and tenacity.

"It was such a great time in my life and a great honour to be on the '83-84 championship team representing the school," said Morgan Ganetsky ('85), a Winnipeg-based denturist who is also the father of two Gray Academy grads and a current Grade 11 student.

 "We all accomplished something very special against all odds. A special group of guys on our '85-86 team," said Florida-based attorney Jacob "Coco" Cohen ('86).

 Kerry Lipkin, based in Philadelphia, who coached the 85-86 JWC team wrote to the Winnipeg Jewish Review that the " most significant theme from coaching the 85-86 was that group of players gave the utmost effort and bonded so nicely as a team.  Their collective attitudes along with great leadership from Coach Grant Rimer allowed us to achieve our potential and win.  This was very satisfying for me to win this year as the 84-85 team fell short and didn't make the Provincial Tournament as the favorite team.  The lessons learned about life was very helpful to me in being able to set goals and work hard."

Lipkin played on two championship teams, indicating that the" 83-84 was a very young and talented team led by Len Glass (coach).  He was able to mold many different personalities and skill sets into a very strong team that upset everyone at the tournament. This win was very exciting and we all cherished that moment. The van ride back was a blast.  Never forget that. "

Lipkin added that" The 84-85 was a veteran team returning all starters from the previous year.  We were the favorite in every game we played.  The team was led by Aaron Benarroch who was our leader.... he was able to balance all of the assets and talent that we had into a powerful and successful team."

"We are very proud that the passion, skill and talent of the legacy players lives on in our High School today," said Lori Binder, Gray Academy's Head of School.

 We look forward to celebrating this honour with as many team members as possible in the fall. 

Below is a list of everyone who was on the JWC championship teams:

  1982-83 : - Steve Kremer - Kevin Marks - Noel Myers - Ari Cohen - Dan Rand - Leonard Glass (coach) - Steve Caplan - Shlomo Benarroch - Roth Adelberg - Kerry Lipkin - Carnie Rose - Aaron Benarroch

1983-84 : - Rob Wolinsky (coach) - Steve Kremer - Morgan Ganetsky - A.J. Cohen - Teller - Noel Myers - Evan Roitenberg - Harry Greenblat - Dan Rand - Shlomo Benarroch - Aaron Benarroch - Kerry Lipkin - Alan Cohen

1985-86 : - Darryl Jacobson - Brent Labinsky - Alan Cohen - Matty Amihude - Kerry Lipkin (coach) - Alan Feldman - Larry Moser - Adam Bronstone - Adam Gunn - Yamin Muyal - Gregg Faiman - Grant Reimer (coach)

1988-89 : - Or Rose - Marshall Posner - Michael Margolis - Simon Conway - Lewis Targownik - Seth Marks - Davie Lantz - Josh Weinstein - Jeremy Feuer - Carry Lasuik (coach) - Randy Lasuik (coach) - Shaun Filkow - Jeff Hyman - Norman Silver - Shawna Rykiss (manager)