Each year the high school basketball season wraps up its year 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.

Whitehall seniors Taylor George, Jillian Kreglow, and Ivanna Jones were a part of the West team that defeated the East squad 75-60 in part of the quadruple-header.

“Coming into this I didn’t really know what Via was all about,” George said, “but I’ve learned a lot. I’m really glad that I did it.”

But it wasn’t the actual game that George was proudest to be involved with. It was the Sunday prior when the athletes involved in the event were paired up with special needs athletes for one-on-one drills, before actually helping to coach in a game.

“I’ve always had a special place in my heart for special needs kids,” noted George. “So to come out and work with them one-on-one and see the impact we can have in their lives, it really made their day, and mine too.”

George tallied nine points, Jones contributed eight, and Kreglow added four to help their team in the win. Nadine Ewald of Parkland led the team with 19 points, and Colonial League MVP Karlee Krchnavi of Palisades had a game-high 28.

“It’s really cool to play one last game with the girls that I grew up with,” George added. “And it was neat to play with the girls from other schools too.”

Whitehall basketball was even well represented on the sidelines. The West head coach was Zephyrs head coach Dwight Repsher.

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 under the direction of Whitehall head coach Jeff Jones.

Zay Jennings (Central Catholic) led the team with 26 points. There were no representatives from Whitehall in this game.

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. Kevin Ferguson from Pocono Mountain East had a game-high 23 points.