Fayette Campus may include more counties in future all-star games
The event was labeled the third annual Fayette-Westmoreland High School Senior All-Star Basketball Games. Only one of the two games held at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus was a true Fayette County team versus a Westmoreland County team, however.
The boys game, which Westmoreland won 70-67, was stock full of good players on both sides and resulted in a competitive game that featured almost as many great defensive plays as it did offensive highlights.
The girls game that preceded it was more of a Fayette against Fayette matchup as only two players on the original Westmoreland roster showed up. The mix still yielded a good, solid contest that the Fayette squad won 51-45.
Penn State Fayette athletic director Jenni Morrison, who organized the event, would like to invite more players next year.
“I think we’re going to expand to a couple more counties,” said Morrison, whose hard work on the event even included helping to fold up and put away tables after the festivities were over.
“I’m tired,” Morrison admitted with a smile. “I think we were probably more organized this year than last year, but the crowd was a bit smaller, maybe because of the weather.”
Friday was very dreary with a steady rain falling most of the day and night.
“I think we can make it a little bigger and better if we add some other counties to the format,” Morrison said. “I think it went well, though. I’d really like to thank a lot of the students up here who pitched in. They were a big help.”
The coaching staff for the boys game was made up of Penn State Fayette people.
Frazier graduate Riely Tidholm, who is a player on the Penn State Fayette basketball team and an assistant coach for the Brownsville Area High School boys basketball team, guided the Fayette All-Stars.
Former Ligonier Valley boys basketball coach Kurt Mattern, who is now the coach of the newly formed Penn State Fayette women’s basketball team, was at the helm of the Westmoreland All-Stars.
“I was already going to be here to scout the players on the girls teams, so when Jenni asked if I could step in and coach one of the boys teams, I said no problem,” Mattern said.
“I knew a lot of players on the Westmoreland team anyhow because I coached against them. It was a lot of fun. I had a really good time coming down here.”
Frazier coach Les Martini guided the Fayette All-Stars in the girls game, while Belle Vernon coach Tim Keefer handled the Westmoreland All-Stars.
Martini was pleased with the event.
“I hope she continues it,” Martini said of Morrison. “It’s funny, because last year the Westmoreland girls showed up in mass and we were lacking Fayette girls. But I think it’s a great thing for the kids. I wish more of them would come around and get involved in the girls game.
“They do a good job here and I have a great time.”
The players had nothing but good things to say about their experience.
“It was an honor to play in this game,” said Laurel Highlands’ Ashley Haragos, who scored a team-high 12 points for the Fayette All-Stars and was named the game’s MVP. “I was really grateful to be chosen for the team.”
“I had a great time tonight,” said Albert Gallatin’s Marquis Demniak, who won the girls 3-Point Shootout and scored 10 points for the Westmoreland All-Stars. The Albert Gallatin and Uniontown players switched from the Fayette team to the Westmoreland team to even the girls rosters.
“This is a nice gym and the crowd was pretty good and friendly,” said Monessen’s Josh Arnold, who won the boys 3-Point Shootout and the Slam Dunk Contest, and was named MVP of the boys game.
“I like this facility,” said Laurel Highlands’ Nick Thomas, who scored a game-high 16 points in the boys game. “I come up here and play sometimes. “I’m glad I got to play in this game.”
“We’re always looking to improve,” Morrison said. “We’ll see what else we can do to make it better next year.”