Youth league wraps season with championships, all-star games

Some are calling it the game of the year, as it took triple overtime in a thriller featuring an all-girls team vs. an all-boys team in the third- and fourth-grade division. The Knights, the all-boys team, ultimately outlasted the Tar Heels 20-17. In the 3 overtime periods, the Knights were led by Damion Sturgeon, who scored 8 points. Louis Thaxton had 7, Nolan Hawthorne 3, Syncier Gray 2 and Triton Pyles added a foul shot.

For the Tar Heels, Harper Dunlap scored 9 points, Karysa Bryant had 5, Mailinn Davia added 2 and Cora Clay made a foul shot.

In the fifth- and sixth-grade championship, the Spartans defeated the Bulls 36-28 to take the crown. The Spartans got 20 points from league-leading scorer Vontae Robinson, 9 from Grayson Madzia and 7 from Kayleigh Agostini.

The Bulls were led by Paxton Smith with 19 points. Carter Helms contributed 4, Aaron Collins and Liam Harris each added 2, and Brayden Kelley had 1.

In the third- and fourth-grade All-Star Game, Team Blue defeated Team White 8-6 in a low-scoring defensive battle. Layne Harris led the winners with 4 points, while Gavin Bocek and Javonni Walker each had 2. Harper Dunlap scored 4 points and Kolt Anderson had 2 in a losing effort.

Team Blue consisted of Damion Sturgeon, Syncier Gray, Nolan Hawthorne, Louis Thaxton, Layne Harris, Gavin Bocek, Javonni Walker and Jaykob Agostini. Team White was represented by Hadley Coffman, Karysa Bryant, Riley Sowers, Harper Dunlap, Octavia Woodard, Olivia Hall, Parker Phillipson and Kolt Anderson. Layne Harris was named All-Star MVP.

In the fifth- and sixth-grade All-Star Game, Team White scored 32 points and defeated Team Blue 31-23. Vontae Robinson led the way for Team White with 15 points. Logan Myher added 4, Blake Barcroft and Grayson Madzia each hit a 3-pointer, TyShaun Sturgeon, Maddox Valesko and Jace Bumgardner each scored 2 points, and Malea Kelley added 1 point on a foul shot.

Team Blue got 9 points from Paxton Smith, 8 from Carter Helms and 2 each from Kayleigh Agostini and Brayden Kelley.

Team White was represented by Vontae Robinson, Grayson Madzia, Malea Kelley, TyShaun Sturgeon, Maddox Valesko, Blake Barcroft, Logan Myher, Jace Bumgardner and Liam Harris. Team Blue was represented by Paxton Smith, Kayleigh Agostini, Kam VanCuren, Brayden Kelley, Zaydea Zorne, Carter Helms, Joel Phillipson, Keagan Mallernee and Drezner Litzenberg. Carter Helms and Logan Myher won MVP honors.

In the PK-second grade all-star game, Team White defeated Team Blue 10-6. Team White was led by Nolan Reese with 4 points. Maverik Chesla, Oliver Patton and AJ Beckley each scored 2.

Team Blue got 4 points from Garrett Potkowski and 2 from Tristyn Shuss. Team White included Maverik Chesla, Oliver Patton, AJ Beckley, Zahria Woodard, Bryce Bear, Nolan Reese and Blayne Barger. Team Blue included Michael Bocek, Tristyn Shuss, Carson Bonaventura, Caden Stewert, Garrett Potkowski, Noah Famal and Brody Morris. Nolan Reese received MVP honors.

The coaches game ended with a 49-44 score. Coach Kerry Anderson led the winners with 15, while Steve Coffman had 14 in the loss.

“In closing this season, I would just like to thank everyone involved for another successful season,” said league President Steve Coffman. “I know I get a lot of credit for the program, but I cannot do it alone. The list is a mile long, but a few go above and beyond. Included are Ashley Phillipson and JR Phillipson for their efforts working the concession and running the score clock every week, Becky Agostini for making the Biddy Globes every week, and Kaci Edward and Connor Baxter for their endless hours of being the first ones there and last ones to leave each week.

“Tommy McAfee takes our mounds of trash and recyclables every week without hesitation. Danny and Billy Dray for working the doors week in and week out. Katie Coffman for always helping in the concession and sweeping the bleachers after each week. Annie Long for running the scorebook.

“The four refs who show up every Saturday morning with their whistles. Sandi Thompson and the library staff for the use of the Barr Memorial Gym. The 16-plus coaches for their time and dedication to our program.

“The list could go on forever. So, if you helped out in any way to make this run so smooth, I sincerely appreciate everything you have done. It doesn’t go unnoticed. Until next year — go Huskies.”