In just a few short months, Emmaus senior Joey Polczynski will begin his college days at York College. Shortly after, he’ll tip off his freshman basketball season as a member of the Spartans.

But before that, Polczynski was a key piece in helping guide the Emmaus boys’ basketball team to one of its best seasons this past winter. It concluded with a trip to the second round of the PIAA Class 4A tournament.

And despite the Hornets failing to reach the quarterfinals with a loss to Reading-one that immediately ended Emmaus’ historic run in 2016-there was one more opportunity for Polczynki and dozens of other local high school senior basketball players to take the hardwood.

As part of a quadruple-header of hoops games, the 41st Annual Via All-Star Basketball Classic was held on Saturday at Northampton Community College where dozens of female and male players earned all-star recognitions. Along with Polczynski being named a Via all-star, Emmaus senior Jenna Lessel was named to the South girls team but did not participate.

“I’ve been playing with these kids ever since I was little,” Polczynski said. “Coming out here and playing with them one last time, wearing my No. 33 jersey for the last time, it’s a great feeling.”

Polcyznski, who scored 15 points for the South, helped his team roll to a 116-96 victory in the second game of the day. South opened the game with the first 10 points and never trailed in the 40-minute regulation.

“It’s a great feeling to come out here and win it, and put on a show for the crowd,” Polczynski said. “Via is a great organization.”

Dieruff’s Tajon Roberts led South with 20 points, and Allen’s Josh Gray added 19. Kevin Ferguson of Pocono Mountain East led all scorers and paced the North with 23.

Via’s “Super Saturday” of basketball games was just part of a great experience that benefited children and adults with disabilities from the area. Many of the players also had the opportunity to help run a clinic with those children, as well as attend the ceremonial banquet a week prior to the games.

For Polczynski, he experienced a once-in-a-lifetime memory just a week before the game at the banquet.

“It’s awesome coming out here and doing it for Via and a great cause,” Polcynski said. “We all had a bunch of fun.

“I actually got to meet Michael Irvin, the Keynote Speaker [at the banquet]. My coaches were sitting at his table. I got a picture with him. He gave me a shout out during the speech, so it was cool.”

Lessell would have opened the four-game event on the South girls squad against the North. The North’s combination of Pleasant Valley’s Renee Milos (19 points) and East Stroudsburg North’s Rona Robinson (18 points), however, was too much for the South in a 70-69 win. South finished the game on a 19-5 run but couldn’t get a shot off in the final seconds.

Game 3 featured the West and East Girls, with the EPC-heavy West squad rolling to a 75-60 win. Palisades’ Karlee Krchnavi led everyone and scored 28 for the East; Parkland’s Nadine Ewald led the West with 19.

The West boys edged out East in the finale, 112-101, behind Central Catholic’s Zay Jennings (26), Northampton’s Mario Delker (25) and Catasauqua’s Shaquan Mason (22). Freedom’s Najee Cash led the East with 26 points.