Andy Close
CLARION, Pa. – The Clarion County YMCA, a branch of the Scenic Rivers YMCA, and D9and10Sports.com are pleased to announce that boys’ and girls’ high school basketball All-Star games will be played April 18 at the Clarion County YMCA.
(Photo: Warren’s Ben Berdine is one of the players playing in the All-Star Game Sunday. Photo by Jared Bakaysa of JB Graphics. See more of Bakaysa’s work here.)
The girls’ game will be at 4 p.m. followed by the boys’ game at 5:30 p.m. No tickets will be sold. Each player is permitted two guests because of COVID-19 protocols and the size of the YMCA. The games will be video broadcast live on D9and10Sports.com and through the D9and10Sports.com Facebook page.
The game is a joint venture between the YMCA and D9and10Sports.com with the best senior basketball players from District 9 plus the top senior basketball players from District 10 schools located in Warren and Venango Counties being invited to the game.
“The YMCA, as an organization, has a long history with basketball dating back to the start of the game,” Jesse Kelley, Branch of Director of Clarion County YMCA, said. “On a regional level we want to continue to support that tradition, and we believe that an All-Star game for seniors is a perfect way to do that. We want to offer the kids an extra opportunity for a game. They have given so much to their communities and their school districts, this is a way to give back to the student-athletes, their parents, their schools and their communities. We are happy to be a part of this game.”
A total of 40 players in all – 20 of each gender – will participate in the contest.
“We are really happy to be able to be a part of this game,” D9and10Sports.com co-owner Andy Close said. “In this year of COVID-19, it was really important to us to find a way to honor the student-athletes. We are fortunate to have such a great and willing partner in the Clarion County YMCA, and our hope for the future is to continue to expand this game to possibly include multiple games with athletes from both District 9 and District 10.”
The 20 boys’ players include 10 players on each team.
Team One will consist of Clarion’s Cal German, Beau Verdill, and Hunter Craddock, Warren’ Ben Berdine, Kane’s Carson Whiteman, Keystone’s Colin Say, Clarion-Limestone’s Hayden Callen, A-C Valley’s Levi Orton, Sheffield’s Tyler Heppinger, and Elk County Catholic’s Mark Kraus. The squad will be coached by Clarion’s Scott Fox and Warren’s Jeff Berdine.
Team Two will consist of Brookville’s Jace Miner and Robert Keth, Cameron County’s Caden Beldin, Karns City’s Chase Beighley, Venango Catholic’s Andrew Burda, Coudersport’s Hayden Keck, Clearfield’s Karson Rumsky, Austin’s Jackson Glover, and DuBois’ Lennon Lindholm and Nick Felix. The teams will be coached by Karns City’s Chris Bellis and Brookville’s Dalton Park.
The 20 girls’ players include 10 players on each team as well.
Team One will consist of Coudersport’s Sarah Chambers and Rosalyn Page, Bradford’s Hannah Lary, Clarion’s Ava Cherico, Port Allegany’s Bree Garzel, Eisenhower’s Delaney Chase, St. Marys’ Samantha Hayes and Kyla Johnson, and Cameron County’s Hailey Hilfiger and Kaelee Bresslin. The team will be coached by Eisenhower’s Mike Logue and Cameron County’s Dave Sullivan.
Team Two will consist of Punxsutawney’s Riley Presloid and Sarah Weaver, Keystone’s Emily Lauer, Clearfield’s Megan Durendetta, DuBois’ Abby Guiher and Saige Weible, Moniteau’s Aslyn Pry, Warren’s Kelsey Stuart, Otto-Eldred’s Kayley Heller, and Cranberry’s Ava Ferringer. The team will be coached by Punxsutawney’s Mike Carlson and DuBois’ Keith Kriner.
Players who were invited to play in the game but could not attend for various reasons included Clarion’s Erica Selfridge on the girls’ side and Franklin’s Zak Smith, Oil City’s Holden Stahl, Johnsonburg’s Cam Stelene, Karns City’s Nathan Waltman, and Northern Potter’s Carter Anderson on the boys’ side. DuBois’ Dave Bennett and Warren’s Lisa LaVan had to turn down coaching offers due to prior commitments as well.
