JOHNSTOWN —
Over the past three basketball seasons, Jacob Fleegle, Kenny Gibbons and Alex Will have had their share of battles in the WestPAC and District 5.
Now, three of Somerset County’s top players will be on the same team during the fourth annual AmeriServ Senior Hoops Showcase at the Pitt-Johnstown Sports Center on April 10.
The three 1,000-point scorers will play on the South boys squad that will meet the North at 5 p.m. in the second half of a doubleheader.
“It feels nice not having to play against them,” said Gibbons, a 6-foot-2 guard who scored 1,286 career points at Shade. “They’re usually guys you have to worry about the most when you play against their team. Now they’re on my team and I don’t have to worry about them. I’m looking forward to playing with them. They’re both really good players.”
Will had 1,228 points and 921 rebounds at Berlin. The 6-5 forward is a presence inside. The Mountaineers standout appreciates having former rivals on the same 12-player squad.
“From playing against them throughout the past number of seasons, I know they’ve been tough guys to play against,” Will said. “Now that we’re on the same team, it will be interesting to see what we can do.”
Fleegle finished his career at North Star with 1,296 points.
Like Gibbons, the 6-5 Fleegle has been an effective outside shooter who also has a knack for driving to the hoop when necessary.
“We know each other pretty well, but instead of going up against each other we’ll all be on the same team,” Fleegle said of his WestPAC rivals. “It’s a really big privilege to play in a game like this. During my sophomore year with (former North Star 1,000-point scorers) Luke Zellem and Alijah Petrilla playing in games like this, I always wanted to play in one, too.
“This puts it all in perspective, how great high school basketball is.”
The rest of the South boys squad, coached by Richland’s Greg Burke, will feature plenty of talent, including 1,000-point scorers Dereck Malzi of Richland and Brett Lucas of Windber. Greater Johnstown’s Calvin Anderson, Bishop McCort’s Mason del Rosario and Patrick O’Reilly, Westmont Hilltop’s Zach Drennen, Somerset’s Devin Pritts, Richland’s Alex Ritenour and Shanksville’s Carson Shaulis round out the lineup.
The North squad, coached by Central Cambria’s Steve Traino includes three more 1,000-point scorers in Portage’s Sean Cronauer, Bishop Carroll’s Dylan Link and Forest Hills’ Tanner Thomas, who also had more than 500 career rebounds.
The North also has Cambria Heights’ Brad Caldwell, Northern Cambria’s Andy Hancharik and Tony Rocco, Bishop Carroll’s Nick Lassak and Curt Panick, Blacklick Valley’s Victor Manda, Penn Cambria’s Kevin Quinn, Central Cambria’s Zach Rodkey and Conemaugh Township’s Hayden Stumpo.
“Playing against players like Jake and Alex made me a lot better. Anyone playing in an all-star game is good, too,” Gibbons said. “It makes me better to play against this caliber of competition. It makes my teammates better playing against good competition.”
Other players selected to the teams who are unable to participate include Forest Hills’ Luke Gallaher and Central Cambria’s Zach Vigneault.
Sports
Related Photos
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Shade's Kenny Gibbons has been selected to play in the AmeriServ Senior Hoops Showcase. Dave Lloyd
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Forest Hills' Tanner Thomas (right) Shade's Kenny Gibbons has been selected to play in the AmeriServ Senior Hoops Showcase. Dave Lloyd
Discussion
AmeriServ Senior Hoops Showcase – 1,000-point scorers common on boys’ squads
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