Apr 6, 2015 4 min read

The 20th annual Hoops For A Cure All Star Game will be April 11 at Chartiers Valley High School. Tickets are $5. Proceeds benefit the Nathan S. Arenson Fund For Pancreatic Cancer Research.

The basketball showcase features the best seniors from the WPIAL. The boys’ contest begins at 7:30, and is preceded by the girls’ game at 6 p.m.

Four area athletes, who also headlined The Almanac’s Elite Eleven boys’ all-star team, will be featured in the boys’ competition.

Adversaries during the season, Matty McConnell, Jonny David and Joey Mascaro lead the unit comprised of Quad-A and Class A district players.

Recently named all-state first team, McCon-nell led the WPIAL in scoring, averaging better than 30 points during the regular season. The Chartiers Valley senior also led his team in rebounding, steals and assists. He scored 2018 career points and guided the Colts to three WPIAL finals, winning the Quad-A title this winter. Bound for Robert Morris University, McConnell was also The Almanac’s MVP.

Heading to the University of Kentucky as a preferred walk-on, David led Mt. Lebanon to a share in the Section 4 title and two thrilling, down-to-wire victories against the Colts, including in the first round of the PIAA tournament. David averaged 18.5 points, four assists and four rebounds a game.

Going to Case-Western, Mascaro was the top scorer at Bethel Park. He averaged 18 points per game. A straight-A student, Mascaro also dished up four assists and two steals a game.

Joining the threesome on the Quad-A-Class A roster are: Julian Batts from Jeannette; Cole Constantino from North Allegheny; Timon Gribbon from North Catholic; Hempfield’s Kason Harrell; Gateway’s Daylon Harris, Norwin’s Curtis Perz and Zach Snyder of Seneca Valley.

McConnell’s father, Tim, will coach the squad along with Hempfield’s Bill Swan.

Ryan Norkus spearheads the AA-AAA all-star squad. The Seton-La Salle senior averaged 18 points and 15 points per game. He garnered Section 3-AA MVP honors and led the Rebels to the WPIAL finals for the second year in a row. SLS lost to Aliquippa in the championship contest.

The Quips will be represented by Nick Lackovich and Stephon McGinnis. Lackovich will coach the team along with Hampton’s Joe Lafko. McGinnis averaged 18 points per game in leading the Quips to the PIAA finals.

Other members of the AA-AAA all-star team include: Justin Gorney from South Park, Hampton’s Joey Lafko and David Huber; New Castle’s Robert Natale, Dom Keys from Steel Valley, George Prota of Elizabeth-Forward and Greensburg Central Catholic’s Romano Sabastani.

The girls team features the Seton-La Salle tandem of Cassidy Walsh and Nicolette Newman on the AA-AAA roster. The pair have played together for nine years, compiling a record of 274-14 with four grade school titles, four state championships and multiple section banners. Alexa Golden from Chartiers Valley will also compete on the AA-AAA team.

Other members of the unit include standouts Chassidy Omogrosso and Courtney Vannoy, who helped Blackhawk win back-to-back district and state titles; Carlynton’s Jordan Melko and Conor Richardson; Burrell senior and Pepperdine recruit Sydney Bordonaro; McGuffey’s 2,000-pointer scorer Sammie Weiss and Ringgold’s Marlena Schmidt.

Upper St. Clair’s Rachel Mazzie, Madison Serio and Diandra Conwell along with Canon-McMillan’s Danielle Parker headline the Quad-A and A all-star squad. Also on the team are Hickory’s Nicole LaCava, Brandi Beader and Megan Chess; Penn-Trafford’s Maria Palarino and Katy Abreu and Andi Lydon from Shaler.

In addition to the all-star games, raffles will be conducted throughout the event. Some of the prizes include: two tickets to the quarterfinals of the US Open Tennis Championships; NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL autographed memorabilia.