May 25, 2025 By Rob Burchianti 3 min read

While the Roundball Classic will be taking place at North Allegheny for senior high school basketball players this weekend, some of the WPIAL’s top underclassmen had a chance to show their talents on Thursday at the Roundball Classic Rising Stars games held at RIZE Sports Complex in Leetsdale.

Two local 1,000-point scorers, juniors Skyler Gates of Brownsville and Emma Larkin of Geibel Catholic played in the inaugural girls game Thursday.

“It was an honor to play with the best of the best in Pittsburgh,” said Gates, whose Team Select Silver team defeated Larkin’s Team Select Gold team. “I had a lot of fun. I really liked the place we played. It was set up really nice, too.”

At least eight area players were chosen for the event held for sophomores and juniors.

In addition to Larkin and Gates, the Boys 11th Grade game rosters included juniors Noah Felentzer of Southmoreland, Evan Strimel of Geibel Catholic and Isaac Ellsworth of Uniontown and the Boys 10th Grade game rosters included sophomores Kayden Smith of Laurel Highlands, Cole Headlee of Waynesburg Central and Gary Tarbuk of Geibel Catholic.

Felentzer, Gates and Larkin each have already topped the 1,000-point mark in their careers.

Gates played well enough for her team to draw praise from the KDKA broadcasters during her game. The 6-foot-4 center, a Virginia recruit for volleyball, hit double digits in scoring for the game.

“I thought I did pretty well, especially for not playing basketball since our GCC (WPIAL playoff) game,” Gates said. “I’ve been pretty busy with volleyball.”

Practice for the event was held on Monday.

“We held scrimmages. You have your team and we would play everybody that was involved so there were three, maybe four teams rotating,” Gates said. “Some of the girls were missing so it was still difficult to be connected during the game. We really didn’t have enough time to make up plays and run them. Most of the time I would just screen for my teammates and then would throw me the ball in the paint which is how I scored most of my points. I had two blocked shots, too.”

Larkin hit a pair of 3-pointers and a free throw in totaling seven points for her team.

“Being chosen for the select game in the very first girls undergrad games feels like a true honor,” said Larkin who, along with Gates, was named to the all-state team this past season.

“It was enjoyable to play with other WPIAL players especially from different classifications. The fun casual atmosphere made the game super enjoyable.”

Gates agreed.

“I had a lot of fun. I would like to do it next year,” Gates said. “I loved the group of girls, they were all really nice. And I liked just getting out and playing girls from 5A and 4A, playing against girls that were winning the WPIAL and their sections.

“It was a great opportunity.”