As the sun went down last Friday afternoon, Bassie Orzechowitz ('08) thought all was lost. She had shot only 5 three point baskets in 45 seconds (she had shot 9 in the regional round of the three point competition). Certainly the other girls would do better.

Even if by some miracle the three girls competing against her only tied her when they shot Friday night, the FHSAA said that she would have to forfeit, as she would not be present Shabbat afternoon to compete.

Bassie and her classmates Sarah Gross and Tamar Koeningsberg then drove to the home of the hospitable Chabad rabbi and rebbetzin of Tampa, Yossie and Sulha Dubrowski to spend Shabbat.

While the girls were singing zmirot Friday night in Tampa, a small miracle occurred. The highest scoring competitor only got in 5 baskets- tying Bassie's score!

Shabbat morning in Boca, Palm Beach Post subscribers were greeted by a front page article announcing "Observance of Sabbath Costs Yeshiva Athlete Shot at Title". The FHSAA was quoted as saying that Bassie would be awarded co- champion of the 1A schools, but would not be afforded the opportunity to participate in the "Queen of the Hill" competition, which would take place Saturday afternoon at 5:45pm. Back in Tampa, Bassie had no idea that she had tied.

As Shabbat progressed, Bassie started to fell increasingly worse. Rabbi Dubrowski asked a neighborihood physician to look at Bassie. "I'm sorry, but this girl has appendicitis". Bassie was rushed to the hospital, and had her appendix removed Sunday morning.

The doctor told Bassie if she had played Saturday afternoon, her appendix would have burst. G-d certainly wrote an unpredictable ending to this kiddush Hashem story.