One Hill of a night
It was a night to remember for Sean Hill Thursday night in the Second Annual Bob Miller Classic Top 10 All-Star Game at St. Catharines Collegiate.
Playing in his home gym, the Grade 12 student netted 15 points to grab his team’s player off the game honours as Team Blue escaped with a hard-fought 93-90 triumph over Team White.
“It was a great crowd cheering for Team Blue. It was amazing. I had great teammates and great coaches to help me win it and I am thankful for that,” Hill said.
It was the 17-year-old’s second appearance at the all-star games after competing in the Next 10 game in 2024.
“My goal was to win and have fun. A good crowd came so I wanted to give them a show.”
Both teams gave the crowd a show in what was one of the best all-star games seen in Niagara in years.
“It was so competitive. It was all the best players in Niagara so it was great.”
Hill had a simple game plan in mind Thursday.
“Pass the ball, rebound the ball and hustle, hustle, hustle.
Hill plans to return to Collegiate for his 12B year and then attend Niagara College and study the trades.
“I am going to try out for that team and see where it takes me.”
Earning player of the game honours for Team White was Governor Simcoe’s Noah Budgell, who netted a game-high 24 points.
It was the Grade 12 student’s second time taking part in the Top 10 game but this year had a different feel to it.
“Last year my role was a bit different. Now I am a lot more confident bringing up the ball and stuff. In Grade 11, I wasn’t as confident so if I had a shot maybe I would pass it up a little. Now I am taking that shot every time.”
The 17-year-old went into the game focused.
“First of all, it is have to fun. It is an all-star game and it is used to recognize some of the best players in Niagara. I wanted to compete and win but it didn’t work out in the end. But I had fun so that’s all that matters.”
In addition to player of the game honours, Budgell won the three-point shooting contest.
“I hit 14 the first time and 12 the second time. Not very good but I got the job done. That’s all that matters.”
All in all it was a memorable night for Budgell.
“It was playing with my friends. I love those guys and I know a lot of those guys through three or four years of high school. It’ s fun to come together and play together as a team.”
The game was a nail-biter that came down to a missed three-pointer at the buzzer by Team White to tie the game. The two teams played hard and there were no trick shots and clowning around.
“It’s competitiveness. Last year, you had guys chucking it from half-court and not really caring. Tonight, the guys were taking charges and stuff,” Budgell said. “We all talk trash here and there and when the two teams were made everyone was talking a little bit. I’m not one for backing down and we all wanted to play hard.”
Budgell will have a chance to play again in the all-star game in 2026 as he is returning to Governor Simcoe for his 12B year.
“I have one more year of high school and then I am going to see what universities are maybe interested and hopefully I can play in university somewhere.”
His top choice of destination is Queen’s.
Team Blue 93 Team White 90
Cat’s Caboose Players of the Game: Team Blue’s Sean Hill and Team White’s Noah Budgell.
For Team Blue: Sean Hill (Collegiate) 15; Ashton Gidney (Westlane) 15; Elijah Quissua (St, Francis) 14; Austin Hinds (St. Francis) 12; Dominic Olesin (Eden) 9; Isaiah Cosaro-Oteng (Myer) 9; Arwin Chima (Saint Michael) 8; Dylan Klassen (Westlane) 7; Tanner Smith (Myer) 4. Also playing was Jack Ciocca from St. Francis. Travis Palmer from Denis Morris was injured.
For Team White: Noah Budgell (Simcoe) 24; Aidan Lucchetta (Notre Dame) 16; Willy Kibowa (Lakeshore Catholic) 14; Eric Kaufmann (St. Paul) 13; Mark Cruz (Saint Paul) 8; Parker Weston-Thwaites (West Niagara) 5; Julian Sobota (West Niagara) 3; Owen Scott (Churchill) 3; Ari Steenhuis (Simcoe) 2. Also playing was Trent Groulx from Notre Dame.
