The 44th Annual Via All-Star Basketball Classic culminated Saturday at Northampton Community College.

The event, which includes camps and clinics and a banquet the week preceding the game, came to a close with Super Saturday, which features four all-star games that showcased the top high school seniors in the Lehigh Valley.

All of the events benefit Via of the Lehigh Valley, which provides services for children and adults with disabilities, showcases the basketball talents of our area student athletes, and educates attendees about Via and the need for community support through financial, partnership and advocacy support.

GIRLS

North-South

The girls South team, which included players from two District 11 champions in Southern Lehigh and Bethlehem Catholic, beat the North team 100-49.

The South team opened a 13-2 lead early in the first 10-minute quarter and extended it to 24-7 late in the period and led 46-16 at halftime.

Southern Lehigh’s Olivia Snyder led all scorers in the game with 17 points, while teammate Spartan Ellie Casse added 15 points. Allen’s Asha Talib scored 12 points for the South.

Bethlehem Catholic’s Solei Rodriguez also scored 15 points, while Hawks teammates Briana Barnard (11 points) and Taliah Peterson (four points) were also part of the South’s victory. Peterson, who wasn’t a starter or even one of the first players off the bench for the state champion Golden Hawks, was pleasantly surprised to be selected to play Super Saturday.

“I was a little surprised,” she said. “I’m not much of a player on the floor. I’m more of a player who helps my team get ready. I was happy and glad I got picked. I was glad to show people I have the skills to play. I wasn’t the one who had all the stats and points and stuff.”

Liberty’s Bridget MacDonald scored six points and dished out several assists for the South.

BOYS

North-South

The boys North team won a slam-dunk filled game 123-113.

With neither team interested in playing defense, the South took the ball to the basket with big men Zach Sabol (Emmaus) and Kyle Young (Bethlehem Catholic).

“Me and Kyle have known each other for a while,” said Sabol. “We’re pretty good friends. It was fun to finally get to play with him in the last high school game of our career.

I’ll always love high school basketball, but it’s time to move on.

It’s always great to help that organization out. They’re a great organization. They do so much for the community and God bless them. It was a great time today.”

The North chose to take open jump shots as Winston Edwards (Pocono Mountain East) hit six treys in leading his team with 22 points. The North, which hit 20 three-pointers in the game, saw seven players reach double figures.

The contest was close until late in the first 20-minute half when the North used a 16-5 run over the final five minutes to turn a tie game into a 66-55 lead at intermission.

Sabol led the South with 22 points.

Girls

East-West

What started as a back-and-forth battle in the first half turned into a dominating 97-73 victory for the West against the East.

The West led by 10 points at the end of the first quarter (27-17), and at the half (53-43).

But the third period belonged to the West, which held a 29-6 edge on the scoreboard to blow the game open.

“We had a lot of talent. At the Via banquet, four of these girls made first team, which is incredible for one team. My job was not to screw it up,” Northwestern mentor and West head coach Chris Deutsch said with a laugh. “I just wanted them to go out and play.”

Parkland’s Claire Courter scored a game-high 23 points for the West. Nazareth’s Madison Amy had 20 points for the East.

Victoria Keenan of Northampton scored 13 points while teammate Jenna Rodgers had 17 points.

“It was amazing for me, at least to play one more time before we all head off for college, and go pursue whatever we have after high school,” Rogers said. “It’s always good playing with the best of the best, against the best of the best. It always gets you better, and gets you ready to work all summer to go into college and try to make a show for the Lehigh Valley, and try to support each and every girl that was on the floor with me, or against me, because we represent the Valley, we represent the 610. We’ll come out in college, and try to tear it up.”

Whitehall’s Taryn Sayre had one point.

Taryn Sayre, Whitehall, one point

“It’s definitely a once in a lifetime experience,” Sayre said. “I grew up playing AAU with a lot of these girls, and I’m not going to be playing in college, so this is my last official game ever. So it was nice to end it with all my friends.

“Basketball has always been a big part of my life, and I was happy that I could represent Whitehall, and just go out and play and have fun.

“I’m definitely going to have to come out and support my Whitehall team next year during the season.

Boys

East-West

The East came away with a 139-127 victory over the West, but players from both sides put on a show in the final game of the day.

It was a flurry of early baskets from area players that helped the West squad build an early lead in the first half.

Howland, a trey from Northwestern’s Sam Yadush and a basket from Palmerton’s Nate Dougherty gave the West an 11-3 advantage in the opening minutes of the first half.

Lehighton’s Addison Howland tied for a team-high 19 points, while Northwestern’s Sam Yadush and Palmerton’s Nate Dougherty scored 17 points apiece.

Allentown Central Catholic’s Chad Kratzer also tallied 19 points for the West.

The West held a 37-36 edge midway through the first half before the East squad pulled ahead, carrying a 59-51 advantage into the intermission.

Nazareth’s Stephon Sheard had a game-high 24 points for the East. Phillipsburg’s Richie Manigault added 23 points.

The teams combined for 26 three-pointers.