Five area high school basketball players competed in Sunday’s Philadelphia Building Trades’ All Star Labor Classic, at Holy Family University.
The Building Trades presented a $228,000 check to The Superhero Project nonprofit, which supports parents of prematurely born babies and all newborns facing medical challenges.
Local players were Kevin Beck, of Father Judge, which won the Catholic League and PIAA Class 6A championships; Brandon Russell, of Archbishop Ryan; Shamar Parker, of Fels; Abby Rock, of Nazareth Academy; and Gabby Bowes, of Germantown Academy.
All high school players received a $500 college scholarship. The Suburban Girls beat the City Girls, 76-69. The City Boys defeated the Suburban Boys, 71-68.
The day began with a matchup between the Labor All Stars and Media/Alumni/Elected Officials All Stars. Retired Channel 6 Action News reporter Vernon Odom coached the Media/Alumni/Elected Officials. Wayne Miller, business manager of Sprinkler Fitters Local 692, coached the Labor team,.
Several representatives of The Superhero Project came on the court in the closing seconds to make shots to give Labor a 61-60 victory.
Among those who played for Media/Alumni/Elected Officials were Pat Dugan, a candidate for district attorney; state Rep. Sean Dougherty; City Councilmen Jim Harrity and Isaiah Thomas; former state Sen. Jimmy Dillon; Parkwood sisters Carleigh Brown (Nazareth Academy, Rider) and Aubree Brown (Archbishop Wood, Drexel); and Northeast Times editor Tom Waring.
Mayor Cherelle Parker tossed up the opening tip before the first game, while the honors went to Holy Family President Dr. Anne Prisco before the girls game and Wayne Miller before the boys game. Vanya Sax performed the national anthem on the saxophone. ••
