Lions Club slates 10th annual girls basketball all-star games

Some of the area's best female high school basketball players will have one last shot to dazzle the fans when the Cheektowaga Lions Club hosts is 10th annual Senior High School Ladies Basketball Classic Saturday, March 15.

The game, which will be played at Cheektowaga Central High School, 3600 Union Road, will feature players who were nominated by area high school coaches and then chosen to participate by a panel of school officials from the region.

The Father Justin Council Knights of Columbus is again a major sponsor of the Classic, which will pit the Lionesses against the Justinettes at 6:30 p.m., followed by the Lions and the Knights at approximately 8:30.

At the conclusion of each game, an MVP will selected from each team. Later this year, a scholarship will be presented in the names of the MVPs to a deserving student from each of their schools.

Ticket prices are $5 for adults and $4 for students. Tickets can be bought before the games by calling 685-1422.

Participants for the games include the following:

Lionesses

Rachel Sluberski (Iroquois), Taylor Pagano (Cheektowaga), Shaniqua Ray (Cardinal O'Hara), Cheryl Hartinger (Kenmore East), Krissy Wesolowski (JFK), Nicole Calbi, Jessica Yee, Tori Rebmann, Gina Moss and Elisha Darby. The Lionesses will be coached by Matt LaRoach (Sweet Home) and Chris Koselny (East Aurora).

Justinettes

Joey Ruderman (Maryvale), Melissa Schultz (JFK), Holly Travis (Clarence), Margo Pagano (Cheektowaga), Sarah Tarrantino (East Aurora), Nadia Durno (Sweet Home), Jen Hare, Mallory Griffiths, Rachel Lowry, Jasmine Ball and Hope Newton. The Justinettes will be coached by Keith Junik (St. Mary's of Lancaster), Frank Martin and Debra Stanczyk.

Knights

Grace Cunningham (Iroquois), Kate Kapanek (St. Mary's), Jessie Tarrantino (East Aurora), Samantha Arena (Sacred Heart), Gleniesha Ferby (Sweet Home), Krystal Watson (Sacred Heart), Katie Lancellotti (Clarence), Ashley Gallagher (East Aurora), Nikki Frederickson, Brianna Lee and Erin Asquith. The Knights will be coached by Dean Ramirez (Maryvale) and Carole Zirkle.

Lions

Breanna Harris (Cheektowaga), Brianna Nemmer (Clarence), Jazmine Bell (Kenmore East), Toni Caruso (Maryvale), Jill Fairchild (Orchard Park), Joelle Connelly (Pioneer), Anne Wapshare, Meghan Dougherty, Jordyn Eckman, Katie Medina, Jordan Meheran and Amie Stuitje. The Lions will be coached by Rachel Martin and Ken Ricker.