OC basketball players help Team USA capture gold medal at Maccabiah Games

Team USA 16-and-under squad celebrates after winning the gold medal. (Photos courtesy Belinda Averill).

Orange County residents, Tobias Averill (Santa Margarita Catholic High School) and Isaac Evans (University) played key roles in helping the Team USA 16-and-under boys basketball team defeat Israel 90-62 for the gold medal at the 2022 Maccabiah Games in Israel Sunday.

Averill was Team USA’s leading scorer with a 13 point average, recording a high game 16 points in pool play against Israel.

“Watching Toby and his team win the gold medal for Team USA in the 21st Maccabiah Games was the capstone moment of a journey that began when he started playing basketball at the Jewish Community Center at the age of 5,” said Averill’s father, Steve.

“Toby always wanted to one day play for the Maccabi national team in Israel representing our community and country. But to get a gold and form lifelong relationships with all his amazing teammates, coaches and staff made it so incredibly special. It was a once in a lifetime experience we (including his wife Belinda Averill) will never forget.”

Team USA, coached by Michael Weinstein, defeated Argentina 73-44 to advance into the gold medal game. Averill and Evans each had 12 points in that game.

The Maccabiah Games involved about 10,000 athletes.

To see additional photo, click on the picture:

Issac Evans (left) and Tobias Averill with their gold medals.