It’s Miller Classic time
The rosters are now set for the Second Annual Bob Miller Classic All-Star Game on Thursday March 27 at St. Catharines Collegiate.
Making up the Top 10 Team White boys basketball team are: Noah Budgell and Ari Steenhuis from Governor Simcoe; Julian Sobota and Parker Thwaites from West Niagara; Aidan Lucchetta and Trent Groulx from Notre Dame; Eric Kaufmann and Mark Cruz from Saint Paul; Owen Scott from Sir Winston Churchill; and, Willy Kibowa from Lakeshore Catholic.
Selected to the Top 10 Team Blue team are: Isaiah Cosaro-Oteng and Tanner Smith from A.N.Myer; Jack Ciocca, Austin Hinds and Elijah Quissua from Saint Francis; Arwin Chima from Saint Michael; Dylan Klassen and Ashton Gidney from Westlane; Travis Palmer from Denis Morris; and, Dominic Olesin from Eden.
Chosen for the Next 10 Team White team are: Will Benko from Notre Dame; Reid Oates from Governor Simcoe; Raymond Rivera from Saint Paul; Travis Joyce and Abdi Farah from Laura Secord; Matteo Pesut, Matteo Villella and Jamie Coldwell from Blessed Trinity; and, Tayte Fraser and Armann Sandhu from Thorold.
Picked for the Next 10 Team Blue team are: Noah Walters from A.N. Myer; Noah Whyte and Francesco Forte from Eden; Nate Perna and Callum Brown from Centennial; Matteo D’Aria from Holy Cross; Hagen Generao from Saint Michael; Simon Reid and Matthew Williams from Lakeshore Catholic; and, Isaak Pino-Martinez from Sir Winston Churchill.
“The schools were organized on either Team White or Blue in consideration of balance issues. I think all teams turned out with balanced rosters and every school that indicated it was interested will have at least one player participating,” said Steve Huisman, who organized the event along with Pat Chiarello. “Certainly the selections can and will be debated but the main thing is these players will have an opportunity to showcase their skills and be recognized for a great year of Niagara high school basketball.”
The Next Ten Game will start at 6 p.m. and the Top Ten game will begin at 8 p.m. Admission prices are $3 for students and $5 for adults. Proceeds will be donated to Gillian’s Place.
“Basketball in Niagara needs to be showcased and hosting an all-star game is a nice way to have the best players come together,” he said.
Last year’s event was held at West Niagara but the games were moved to St. Catharines Collegiate because of its central location.
“St. Catharines Collegiate has a rich history of hosting large basketball events here in Niagara. We have a great working relationship with Collegiate and look to continue to hold this event there for years to come.”
Organizers learned a few things in their first attempt at hosting.
“I feel last year’s event turned out very well with great feedback from everyone. We did find the three-point shootout ran a little longer than expected so we will be making some adjustments to that portion of the evening.”
A mandatory, organized practice is scheduled for Tuesday, March 25 at West Niagara Secondary School where the T-shirts will be handed out and the players will be selected for the three-point shooting contest.
Huisman can’t wait for the games to start.
“I am looking forward to a very exciting event filled with great competition and hearing the cheers from the crowd as they watch the top high school players entertain us. Many of these players already have interest from colleges and universities for next year and deservedly so,” he said. “These players have put in a lot of hard work to get to this point in their basketball career. Also, having Rod Mawhood as our announcer will really add a professional vibe into the gym for the event this year. Ultimately, I’m looking forward to exceeding the $650 we raised last year for Gillian’s Place.”
Sponsors for the Bob Miller Classic are: St. Catharines Rebels, Niagara River Lions, Niagara College, BP Sports Niagara, Niagara District Basketball Referees Association, Brock University, Niagara Ignite, Apex Basketball, Niagara Catholic District School Board and the District School Board of Niagara.
