Spencer Kanne was ready for his moment.
The Cathedral Prep sharpshooter dribbled to his left to clear his defender with just seconds left and buried a 3-pointer from NBA range to give the West a thrilling 85-82 win.
The East-West boys and girls basketball all-star games on Saturday were, once again, filled with exciting moments and big-time performances.
One of the great traditions in Erie is seeing the best seniors around come together to put on one more show for the fans, whether it's the baseball, basketball and soccer all-star games or the Save-An-Eye football game.
One of the best things about the basketball all-star game is it has become a first-class production. The Girard boosters host a banquet the night before with a speaker and give gifts to the seniors playing in the game.
The all-star games in Erie have become a great event, unlike other games that involve random drafts and players from too many areas giving the games no meaning.
The seniors in Erie County love playing together and against each other in these games.
What helps is not only the professional level of production by the Girard boosters but the great moments as well. It started Friday as Penn State Behrend men's basketball coach Dave Niland gave a terrific speech to the players and parents to get them fired up for the game.
Kanne had his big moment as the West rallied from down double digits to shock the East in the boys game. He plans on heading to law school in the future.
In between the girls and boys games, the six seniors who finished their careers with more than 1,000 points were honored at halftime. The six included Carson Papay (Fort LeBoeuf), Kamden Kramer (McDowell), Addie Biel (Cathedral Prep), Breanna Heidt (Fairview), Brooke Przybylski (Harbor Creek) and Libby Opp (General McLane).
Take a moment and think about it. Six 1,000-point scorers in Erie County alone is quite the accomplishment for the area.
Not only were there six 1,000-point scorers, but Papay broke the Fort LeBoeuf scoring record, while Biel, Przybylski and Heidt all finished second all-time in their respective programs.
The girls game was more lopsided as the East rolled to a 70-46 win, but the game still had its big moments.
At one point in the second half, Heidt and Biel were on the floor together. Two of the top forwards in District 10 as teammates? Just imagine the damage they could have done as high school teammates. Biel is headed to Division I Appalachian State and Heidt to Division III St. John Fisher.
Both were near the top of the key when Biel passed Heidt the ball and yelled to shoot a 3-pointer. Before Heidt could even get the shot off, Biel had her hand in the air with three fingers up. Heidt buried the 3-pointer and immediately had a big smile for Biel from the joy of hitting the shot.
Another priceless moment came in the first half when Mercyhurst Prep coach Dan Perfetto got a “technical foul” so injured senior Ava Lucarotti of Cathedral Prep could check in and shoot free throws. Lucarotti missed most of the season but is playing at the next level at LeMoyne.
One of the biggest moments of the girls game came in the final minute. The only player from the East to not score a point was Mercyhurst Prep Makayla Savko as she is used to being a defensive standout. Perfetto ran a play for her and she drilled a long 3-pointer. The joy she had from ...
