RICH KELLY
SAYBROOK TOWNSHIP — About the only sure thing you can expect in an all-star game at any level is the unexpected at times and the usual at times from players usually the best in their area on the hardwoods.
That’s what took place Tuesday night at Lakeside Gymnasium as the Star Beacon-Ed Batanian Senior Classic was played before a large crowd. The fans got their money’s worth as the home team, The Hammers, used a pair of scoring runs in the second half to pull away from The Mean Machine to win, 107-99.
Paced by Lakeside’s Emilio Parks (32 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals, 6 assists, 3 blocks, 6 dunks), who earned Player of the Game honors for his team, the Hammers overcame a 51-41 halftime deficit by starting the second half with a 24-10 run as Parks hit four hoops, including a 3-pointer.
After a layup on a feed from Chris Howland of Conneaut was put in by Sean Butler of Edgewood (21 points, 16 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks) to cut the gap to 75-72 midway through the second half, Matt Moyer (Jefferson) completed a conventional three-point play, stole the inbounds pass and hit a layup, and the lead was back to 80-72.
The Hammer lead reached as much as 18 points, at 103-85, before a late rally by the Mean Machine. Paced by Player of the Game Brant O’Brien of Grand River Academy (28 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists), who tallied six points in the last minute and a half and Howland, who put home five, it cut the score to its final tally.
Both head coaches, Tim Tallbacka of Conneaut for the Mean Machine and John Marhefka of Geneva for the Hammers, enjoyed the chance to lead their teams and to even do a little coaching once in a while.
“This was just a fun game to coach in,” Tallbacka said. “It’s a really great chance to meet some nice kids who you normally don’t get a chance to get to know other than coaching against them.
“The kids and coaches get a chance to compete during the regular season, so playing in a game like this is a nice change of pace for everybody. It’s a relaxed atmosphere that everybody can enjoy, and it’s an honor to be part of it.”
Marhefka was in total agreement with Tallbacka.
“This is just so much fun to be part of,” he said. “Like Tim said, you get to lead some of your own players, like the three we had from Geneva, again, while also getting to know some others who you don’t get to meet very well during the season. You get to see the kids showing a different personality on the court, along with a lot of really good skills that you normally don’t see in regular games.”
Outstanding plays were the norm for the game by just about all of the players.
O’Brien put on a show with several strong dunks in earning his award and Parks was his normal self while also adding a few new tricks to his arsenal that weren’t always successful. Mychael Delano of Riverside made several spectacular plays, Sean Butler of Edgewood showed why he is one of the area’s dominant big men. The playlist went on and on as everybody who played made outstanding plays at one time or another.
Schools representing the Mean Machine were Grand River Academy, Edgewood, Conneaut, Perry, and SS. John and Paul.
For the Hammers, Lakeside, Jefferson, Grand Valley, Riverside, Madison, and Geneva supplied the firepower.
Firepower was the key as both teams flashed offensive skills that players normally don’t do. Defense even came into play in spurts when players took the ball to the hoop.
All in all, it was a great night for area basketball fans to complete the doubleheader after the girls put on a show in the first game.
Kelly is a freelance writer from Jefferson.
