from:
Wednesday, March 13, 2024 | 1:07 p.m
Deer Lakes’ Billy Schaefer grabs a loose ball over Mercyhurst Prep’s Alex Manendo during the PIAA Class A first round Saturday, March 9, 2024, at Deer Lakes High School.
Christopher Horner | TribLive
St. Joseph’s Julie Spinelli shoots a 3-pointer against Union during the WPIAL Class A championship game Saturday, March 2, 2024, at the Petersen Events Center.
Some of the best boys and girls basketball players from the AK Valley and beyond will take part in the 27th annual Cager Classic on April 6 at Highlands High School.
There will be a girls game at 5:30 p.m., followed by a boys all-star contest at 8 p.m.
There will again be a skills competition featuring 3-point shooting, an individual hot shot and a co-ed hot shot starting at 7:00pm on April 5, also at Highlands.
The players will train on April 4 to begin the three-day activities.
The games will feature senior players from both sides of the Allegheny River. Schools represented are Apollo-Ridge, Armstrong, Burrell, Butler, Cheswick Christian Academy, Deer Lakes, Fox Chapel, Franklin Regional, Freeport, Hampton, Highlands, Kiski Area, Knoch, Leechburg, Mars, Plum, Riverview, Springdale, St. Joseph and the valley.
Last year, Highlands’ Jimmy Kunst had 32 points as the West won the boys game 122-101, setting a record for that event.
Freeport’s Melaina DeZort had 14 points to lead the West girls team to a 67-60 victory over the East.
Advance tickets are available at B&J Sporting Goods. Adults are $6 and students are $4. Tickets will also be available at the door.
Game rosters are subject to change.
27th Cager Classic
April 6, 2024
Highlands High School
Lists
girls
east
1, Abbie Johns, Kiski Area
2, Isabella Barber, Fox Chapel
3, Jessica Chwalik, Butler
4, Lola Abraham, Riverview
5, Emma Paul, Armstrong
11, Angelina Brush, Franklin Regional
14, Sophia Yard, Apollo Ridge
25, Sarah Weaver, Armstrong
32, Skye Byrnes, Fox Chapel
34, Megan Marston, Plum
40, Pascal Olczak, Sliva
Coach: Rich Mull, Plum
west
1, Ada Fuller, Knoch
3, Jayden Gaillot, Freeport
4, Kalleigh Nerone, Highlands
5, Naturelle Ewing, Knoch
11, Kate Myers, Highlands
12, Emma Rick, Hampton
14, Kathleen Milon, Hampton
15, Julie Spinelli, St. Joseph
22, Morgan Croney, Freeport
23, Shelby Wojcik, Highlands
24, Jocelyn Bielak, Highlands
25, Emma Swierczewski, St. Joseph
42, Brooke Kmetz, Freeport
Coach: Sean Bennis, Highlands
Boys
east
0, Isaiah Gonzalez, Kiski District
1, Yakov Staraniek, Dolina
2, Cam Rowell, Franklin Regional
3, Cooper Rankin, Franklin Region
5, Braylon Littlejohn, Butler
10, Isaiah Riggle, Armstrong
11, Joey Diskello, Burrell
12, Nate Spreikar, Riverview
13, Esau King-Buchak, Burrell
14, Remy Black, Mars
15, Jack Valasek, Armstrong
22, Mackie Bennis, Burrell
Coaches: Mike Fantuzzo, Burrell
west
0, Cameron Raygard, Highlands
1, Brady Sullivan, Freeport
2, Wayne Love, Deer Lakes
3, Alex Nylas, Hampton
5, Billy Schaeffer, Deer Lakes
6, Brendan Getlak, Plum
15, Bradyn Foster, Highlands
23, Jordyn Tavarez, Highlands
24, Peter Kramer, Hampton
25, Brian Talarico, Leechburg
32, John Hughes, Springdale
33, Mason Gent, Springdale
34, Grant Rochkind, Cheswick Christian
Coach: Rich Macura, Freeport
Bill Hartlepp is TribLive’s sports editor. A Pittsburgh native and Point Park graduate, he joined the Trib in 2004 covering high school sports. He held various editorial roles before assuming his current position in 2019. He can be reached at [email protected].
Tags: Apollo-Ridge, Armstrong, Burrell, Butler, Cheswick Christian, Deer Lakes, Fox Chapel, Franklin Regional, Freeport, Hampton, Highlands, Kiski Area, Knoch, Leechburg, Mars, Plum, Riverview, Springdale, St. Joseph, Valley
