Zones earn split in all-star doubleheader
Honsberger named player of the game; Money raised for trust fund for player, sister
An annual battle for senior boys high school basketball bragging rights in Niagara ended in a split decision this year.
Zone 4 rebounded from a 73-49 loss to Zone 3 in the Top 20 game with a 75-74 victory when the Top 10 all-stars took the court Wednesday night in St. Catharines.
In addition to showcasing the skills of 40 of the top high school players from the region, the doubleheader at Governor Simoce benefited a graduating St. Francis player and his sister following the death of their mother, a single parent.
Proceeds totalling $1,441 will be put in a trust fund for Tyrell MacLennan and his sister Kalle. Their mother Allison died March 19.
Noah Honsberger of Denis Morris led Zone 4 in scoring with 15 points and was named player of the game in the Top 10 game.
Asim Serri, Sir Winston Churchill, with 13 points; Jack Riddell, St. Francis, 10; Zubeer Liban, Denis Morris, nine; Sam Braithwaite, St. Francis, eight; Alex Cochrane, Simcoe, eight; MacLennan, six; Rahim Bardi, six; Ryan Gilbert, Eden, three; and Alec Young, Thorold, one; also scored for Zone 4.
Zone 3 scorers in the Top 10 game: Reese Radabenko, Welland Centennial, 19; Dusan Krkljus,
St. Michael, 15; Keenan Larmand, Centennial, eight; Victor Kariuki, St. Paul, eight; Jacob Bray, Centennial, six; Nick Murdaca, A.N. Myer, six; Richard Werner, St. Paul, five; Bailey Wangler, Greater Fort Erie, four; David Jones, Notre Dame, one.
Westlane’s Dudley Kou led all scorers with 24 points and was named the Top 20 player of the game.
Jean Vanier’s Jacob Labone and E.L. Crossley’s Josh Lahn also scored in double digits, with 16 and 14 points, respectively.
Philip Angervil, Vanier, five; Will Schmahl, St. Paul, four; Jomer Mateo, four; Neil Wangler, Niagara Christian, four; and Jeremy Elyse, Stamford, three; rounded out the scoring for Zone 3.
Putting points on the scoreboard the Zone 4 all-stars in the early game were Dainon, Simcoe, 17; Clayton Thomas-Harris, St. Catharines Collegiate, nine; Jacob Stirtzinger, Thorold, four; Zeenan Admed, Blessed Trinity, seven; Mitchell McArthur, Denis Morris, four; and Kyle Love, Blessed Trinity, four.
Mark Gallagher, Notre Dame; Eric Labonte, Vanier; and Phil Mosley, Centennial; coached both Zone 3 teams.
Simcoe’s Shaun Feor and St. Francis’ Jon Marchette, Top 10; and Marc Dupont and John Kwiatowski, both of Thorold, Top 20; coached the Zone 4 all-stars.