Long before he became Pennsylvania’s governor, Abington native Josh Shapiro was leading an underdog basketball team in Montgomery County, writes Matt Breen for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Shapiro served as point guard for Akiba Hebrew Academy, now Barrack Hebrew Academy, helping guide the small Merion Station school to a league championship in 1991.
Despite being undersized and often overlooked, the team developed a reputation for discipline, teamwork, and resilience. Shapiro was known to teammates as “The General”. He orchestrated the offense, focusing on ball distribution and making the right play rather than chasing points.
The group entered nearly every game as underdogs, but their chemistry and shared mindset led to a 25-3 season and a decisive championship win. Along the way, they faced both competitive challenges and moments of cultural identity, bonding as a tight-knit group representing a Jewish day school.
Shapiro credits that experience with shaping his leadership style, emphasizing collaboration and accountability, lessons he says still guide his work today.
Decades later, the team remains connected, reflecting on a season that not only delivered a title but also laid the foundation for future success.
To learn more about Shapiro’s leadership on the court, visit The Philadelphia Inquirer.
