Each year the high school basketball season wraps up with a special event, not only for senior players, but also for a group of youngsters who may never get the chance to suit up in a varsity basketball game.

The 41st annual All-Star game was held last Saturday at Northampton Community College and featured representatives from 35 high schools around the Lehigh Valley. The Classic raises funds to support Via of the Lehigh Valley’s services for children and adults with disabilities and promotes community involvement.

Northwestern senior Erika Thomas was a member of the West squad, and before she next suits up for Marywood University, scored five points and helped the West defeat the East team 75-60 in part of the quadruple-header.

“It’s awesome to play with some of the best girls in the area, and for a good cause,” Thomas said. “When you’re competing against them during the season it may not be as fun, but playing with them is great. We got to form friendships that I’ll always have, and it helped because I knew a lot of them coming in because of AAU.”

Mikaela Koenig, Thomas’ teammate at Northwestern, was also a part of the West team. She tallied four points in the win. Nadine Ewald of Parkland led the team with 19 points, and Colonial League Most Valuable Player Karlee Krchnavi of Palisades had a game-high 28.

“It’s hard getting back out there after not playing for almost a month,” Thomas added. “It’s tough knowing this is your last time playing high school basketball, but it’s nice to get out there one last time.”

In the finale of the event, the West boys had much of the same success as the West girls did.

They had a double-digit advantage at halftime, leading 56-44 and held on for a 112-101 victory.

Tigers teammates Parker Jones and Brady Mengel tallied 15 and 14 points, respectively, and echoed Thomas’s statements about what it meant for them to play in their final high school game at the Via event.

“It was a great overall experience,” said Jones. “I had fun playing with guys we normally play against. It was fun playing with a different crowd. This game was pretty much just playing for the community that comes out every night to support us at home. That’s what this was all about.”

“It was a great experience,” Mengel said. “You can learn a lot just coming to these games. A lot of ball movement. Everybody’s looking to score. Just overall, a good experience. I think we both showed that Northwestern is on the map.”

Mengel and Jones’s running mate Zay Jennings (Central Catholic) led the team with 26 points.

In the earlier games, the local players split the two games.

In the opener, the North girls had to hold on to a late surge from the South team for a 70-69 win. Renee Milos of Pleasant Valley led all scorers with 19 points.

The North boys were not as successful. The South squad took full control early and wound up winning 116-96.