Senior girls all-star hoops game set for Saturday
All Town of Amherst teams except North will be represented

Cheektowaga Central High School's gym will be buzzing with basketball action beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday when some of the area's best girl players take to the court for the ninth annual Cheektowaga Lions Club Senior High School Ladies Basketball Classic.

The Father Justin Council Knights of Columbus is again a major sponsor of the Classic, which has had over 300 athletes participate in their high school capping game over the history of the event. Players are chosen for the event by a panel of school officials from the region after being nominated by area high school coaches.

As in the past, the event will be broken up into two games. In game one, which will tip off at 6 p.m., the Lionesses will face the Justinettes, while in game two, which is slated to start at 8 p.m., the Lions will take on the Knights. An MVP will be picked from each team at the conclusion of each game, and a scholarship will be presented in the names of the MVPs to a student from each of their schools later this year.

Tickets for the game cost $5 for adults and $4 for students. Tickets can be purchased in advance by calling 668-3844, or can be bought at the door.

The Lionesses, coached by Joe Catalano (Lancaster) and Peter Hudecki, feature Jodi Battaglia (Amherst), Katie Carroll (Mt. St. Mary), Jen Godson (Depew), Melysa Markut (Lancaster), Meaghan Daley (Sacred Heart), Maria Blum, Justine Smith, Amanda Boron, Chrissy Fretthold, Noelle Dinkins, Lauren Turner and Christina Peters.

The Justinettes, coached by Duke McGuire (Williamsville South) and Rich Norton, feature Gina Ricotta (Sacred Heart), Nicole Odrobina (Maryvale), Sheila Sullivan (Mt. St. Mary), Kiaya Burks (Sweet Home), Shannon McGuire (Amherst), Caroline Hourihan, Codie Northrup, Lindsay Katta, Jessica Nelson, Jillian Feldmeyer, Katelynn Benzing and Shaneya Ferguson.

The Lions, coached by Dave Sardo and Frank Martin, feature Barb Kiliszek (Lancaster), Lindsay Henry (Iroquois), Meaghan Freund (Kenmore East), Katie Ostroot (Williamsville South), Brandy Wangelin, Margo Weber, Laura Hambruch, Liz Shappert, Bridgette Burke, Courtney Donovan and Kendra Brim.

The Knights, coached by Carole Zilkle and Rachel Martin, feature Jordan Schrimmel (Depew), Mandy Sahhar (Orchard Park), Kate Keller (Sacred Heart), Kacie Mills (Kenmore East), Holly Beats (Iroquois), Kaitlin Roseti (Williamsville East), Alana Laguerre, Jackee Thompson, Marybeth Nugent and Julie Chiarot. East Aurora's Sarah Soroka was supposed to play for the Knights as well, but the Lady Blue Devils earned a spot in the Class B state Federation championships this weekend after claiming the public school title last Saturday at Hudson Valley Community College.