Another great event for the student-athletes, parents, and the community put on by the OVACA. At the Palace on the Hill, yesterday, the OVAC concluded the basketball season with their annual all-star game.
The afternoon started with the West Virginia and Ohio girls facing off on the hardwood. The Mountaineers were led by caches Boberta Olejasz (Wheeling Central) and Ryan Wells (Oak Glen). Having helped to coach this game before, I know what a task it can be for the coaches. Players are pulled away by baseball, softball, track, lacrosse, and other spring events. As coaches you just put a couple things in and let the players play.
As for this game is was all West Virginia with the Mountaineers leading 52-33 at the half. Mia Henkins (Morgantown), whose dad was on the staff when I helped, Coach Mark McCormick, with the game, had a huge first half. Mia hit four 3 balls in the half to lead the way for West Virginia. Excitement at halftime was provided by the 3-point contest won by Warren Local’s Alex Frazee.
Ohio coached by Chace Smith (Harrison Central) and Brad Venham (Warren) went cold in the second half. They were led in the game by River’s Rylee Knight and Hannah Raper who had 13 and 7 respectively. West Virginia continued their hot hand and was able to come away with the 83-51 victory. The home floor was good to Sophie Abraham (Wheeling Park) she led all scorers with 16. Also, contributing in the victory were Emily Sharkey (University) 9 and Weirton Maddona’s Shea McCoy 8.
The boys took the floor for the second all-star contest. West Virginia was coached by Cameron’s Tom Hart and Weir’s Anthony Santangelor. Ohio was led by River’s Mark Romick and Harrison Central’s Aaron Foldi. The teams provided the crowd with some great fast paced, high scoring all-star action.
West Virginia took the lead early due to some on point shooting (Carter Anderson, Linsly) and fast break dunks (Nathan Plotner, Parkersburg South). Ohio though was able to keep it close and only trailer 53-42 at the half, thanks to some key buckets by Shadyside’s Elijah Brock and Steubenville’s Phaeton Hill (18 for the game). For the boys it was a slam dunk contest for the halftime festivities. Garrison Kisner of Morgantown beat all the high flyers with a perfect score of 90.
Ohio came out firing and running to start the 2nd half. The Buckeye squad came all the way back to take the lead 67-65. The rest of the half, though, belonged to the Mountaineers, who came away with the 105-86 victory. Leading the way for West Virginia were slam dunk champion Kisner and Wheeling Park’s Brett Phillips evenly splitting 20. All three of the following scored 9 on the afternoon; Plotner, Kohlton St. Clair (Clay Battelle), and Cam Danser (Morgantown). John Marshall’s Brennan Sobutka chipped in 8 including a bank 3. Outside of Hill’s 18, Ohio’s leaders included Brock’s 13, Buckeye Trail’s Garrett Burga’s 12, Caldwell’s Tyce DeVolld’s 9, and Martins Ferry’s Denali Jackson 8.
Along with the exciting basketball action, the OVAC made this event complete by handing out numerous awards and scholarships throughout the afternoon. They included awards for Erin Desantis and Mike Podlasiak, girls and boys coaching respectively. Other awards were David Easterling for his distinguished service, John Pizzutti for scorekeeper/timer, and Butch Antill on the officials side.
The OVAC also awarded scholarships to the following player: Brennan Sobutka (John Marshall), Sophie Abraham (Wheeling Park), Brett Phillips (Wheeling Park), Mia Henkins (Morgantown), Luke Anaismeir (Weirton Madonna), Bede Lori (Caldwell), Eden Gibson (University), Maddy Butler (Harrison Central), Kohlton St. Clair (Clay-Battelle), Ty Long (River), Megan Malin (St. Clairsville), and D.J. Butts (Union Local).
Finally, the Phil Lewton Sportsmanship Award went to the Cameron girls and the Linsly boys teams. Congratulations to both teams and all of the award and scholarship winners.
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