Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Announces Selections for 2017 Western Massachusetts Senior All-Star Games

SPRINGFIELD, MA – The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced today the team rosters for the 2017 Western Massachusetts Senior High School All-Star Games. The 2017 All-Star event will be held on Friday, March 24 on the Jerry Colangelo Court of Dreams at the Hall of Fame. A total of 60 players were selected from different divisions within the region to participate in three games that will showcase the top seniors in their final high school contest.

“Each year, we look forward to hosting the Western Massachusetts Senior All-Star Games, which allows us to celebrate the many talented players in our region,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. “These outstanding student athletes deserve to be recognized for their dedication to the game we love and we wish them well as they transition to the next level of basketball and academics upon graduation.”

A committee made up of local coaches and media members that represent each division on the boys and girls side selected the teams. The players will be divided into six teams: two girls teams, two boys teams of Division III and IV players and two boys teams of Division I and II players. Only graduating seniors are eligible for the All-Star Games. Rosters can be found on the next page.

The first game of the evening will feature the Division III and IV boys teams at 5:30 p.m., followed by the girls matchup at 7 p.m. The final game of the evening will showcase the Division I and II boys teams at 8:30 p.m.

For the seventh year, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame will recognize one boy and one girl as the Western Massachusetts Players of the Year. A special presentation will be made to the recipients during halftime. A panel of local media members selects the award winners, who are recognized for their achievements on the court, in addition to their sportsmanship and character off the court.

Tickets for the All-Star game will be available at the Hall of Fame box office the night of the games and will be good for all three games that evening (Adults: $10, Students: $5).

Game 1: 5:30 p.m.

Division III and IV Boys Team 1

Hayden Bird – Drury

Colin Gould - Franklin

Kevin Mendez – Greenfield

Greg Laroche – Hampshire

Jacob Bihler – Hampshire

Bahu Abdul-Wadud – Monson

Tucker Llewelyn – Pioneer

Justin Rennis – Sabis

Nathan Colon – Sabis

Luke Steinman – Wahconah

Division III and IV Boys Team 2

Zach Crisafulli – Easthampton

Zach Gorham – Granby

Sam’i Roe – Hopkins

Issak Reinikainen – Mahar

Bryce Cleveland – Mahar

Ryan McCarthy – Palmer

Drake Bucknam – Palmer

Ryan Leclair – Southwick

Tionne Brown – Turners

Fernando Montalban - Ware

Ishanna Brown – Central

Sha-raya Haines – Central

Alayah Sweeney - Central

Phyness Baldwin – Central

Taina Slaughter – Chicopee

Kathy Jaracz – Chicopee Comp

Ashley Rouleau – Chicopee Comp

Callie Cavanaugh – Holyoke

Lauraine Joensen – Northampton

Megan McCarthy – Northampton

Division I, II, III and IV Girls Team 2

Cara McKenzie – Belchertown

Kayla Henry – Belchertown

Katy O’Connor – Hampshire

Fallon Field – Hoosac Valley

Karli Retzel – Lee

Taylor Shubrick – Longmeadow

Jenna Benzinger – Mount Greylock

Peyton Steinman – Pittsfield

Angelica Peguero – Putnam

Sophie Gatzounas – South Hadley

Division I & II Boys Team 1

Meesha Ohradka – Agawam

Meikkel Murray – Amherst

Seth Bella-Hunter – Amherst

Raul Lopez – Commerce

Pat Abad – Longmeadow

Max Robbins – Longmeadow

Jacob Martinez – Pope Francis

Devonte Sandifer – Taconic

Izaiya Mestre – Taconic

Sharown Fowler – West Springfield

Division I & II Boys Team 2

Josh Pressley – Central

Ahmad Conner – Central

Jeric Cichon – East Longmeadow

Donovan Cordero – East Longmeadow

Jerry Cruz – Holyoke

Steve Pickering – Minnechaug

Cameren McCloud-Thomas – Minnechaug

Elijah Davis – Northampton

Gabe Piepergerdes – Westfield

Rodney Bernard-Quinones - Westfield