Lehigh Valley Conference East girls, Mountain Valley Conference boys victorious in Via All-Star Basketball Classic

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FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES

The senior guard from Liberty High School seemed to have the time of her life today when she scored 17 points to spark the Lehigh Valley Conference East girls to a 94-66 rout of the Mountain Valley Conference in the 37th annual Via All-Star Basketball Classic at Northampton Community College.

Quindell Brice of Pocono Mountain West, the Via Boys Player of the Year, poured in 21 points to spark the Mountain Valley Conference boys to a 92-88 victory over the Lehigh Valley Conference East.

"It definitely was a lot of fun," Hilliard said. "A lot of the girls (on her team) wore different colored jerseys during the season but we all had the same jerseys on (Saturday). We played as a team."

Jody Chickey of Liberty added 14 points for the LVC girls. J.J. Hilliard of Liberty, C.J.'s twin sister, and Christine Flannery of Nazareth added 12 points each.

"I'm always happy for my sister," C.J. Hilliard said.

C.J. will play at Division III Gwynedd-Mercy next season while J.J. will continue her basketball career at Division II Lock Haven. Chickey will take her game to Division I Mount St. Mary's.

Lehigh Valley East had its hands full for the first 25 minutes. The Mountain Valley squad took its final lead, 50-49, on a putback by Kelecia Harris of Pleasant Valley with 15:38 remaining. Harris finished with a game-high 21 points.

Lehigh Valley East embarked on a 16-2 run to take command at 65-52. The Mountain Valley never got closer than eight.

"A lot of the girls just didn't want to lose their last high school game," C.J. Hilliard said. "We were obviously enemies during the season but we're all friends now. We wanted to have fun and make sure we got the win."

Boys game

Caleb Knudsen of Pius X returned to his Mountain Valley Conference roots in the boys game. Knudsen transferred from Pleasant Valley to Pius X before his junior season. He contributed eight points for the Mountain Valley today.

"Being from Pleasant Valley, I always had a little relationship with the MVC," Knudsen said, "but this experience made it even stronger."

Jok Osiyo of Pocono Mountain East added 16 points for the MVC including two spectacular dunks. Johnathan Amoroso of Pocono Mountain West added 13 points.

"We had a lot of talent," Knudsen said. "Usually the LVC teams disrespect the MVC. We took it to them this time. We showed that we weren't here to mess around."

Knudsen is considering playing basketball at Division II schools Mount Olive (N.C.) and Cheyney as well as several prep schools.

"(Pius assistant coach) Dallas Comegys is real close friends with the Cheyney coach (Dominique Stephens)," Knudsen said. "He's been good to me. I'd definitely think about it if they gave me a good offer."

Lincoln Holley of Easton led the LVC East with 19 points. Jarrod Dilts of Freedom added 15 followed by Noel Hightower of Easton and Joe Lococo of Freedom, the Express-Times Player of the Year, with 14 each.

(Girls)

LEHIGH VALLEY EAST (94)

Deutsch 2 0-0 4, Deisher 1 0-0 3, Napolitano 3 0-0 7, Plesko 4 0-0 8, J. Hilliard 4 2-2 12, Flannery 6 0-0 12, Marcks 1 0-0 2, Hall 3 1-2 7, C. Hilliard 6 5-6 17, Chickey 6 1-1 14, Shaner 4 0-0 8. Totals 40 9-11 94.

MOUNTAIN VALLEY (66)

Redles 2 0-2 4, Chieffo 1 0-0 2, Roberts 2 0-0 4, DeVivo 1 0-0 3, Borden 1 0-0 2, Roth 2 0-0 6, Blake 2 0-0 4, Harris 9 3-5 21, Steakin 4 1-1 11, Ingram 4 1-2 9. Totals 28 5-10 66.

Lehigh Valley East 41 53--94

Mountain Valley 39 27--66

3-point goals -- J. Hilliard 2, Chickey, Deisher, Napolitano; Roth 2, Steakin 2, DeVivo.

(Boys)

LEHIGH VALLEY EAST (88)

Cowen 2 0-2 4, Holley 8 3-5 19, Dilts 6 0-0 15, Flood 2 1-1 6, Hightower 5 2-4 14, Lococo 3 6-6 14, Huber 1-1 0-0 3, Holubowski 0 0-0 0, Smith 1 0-0 2, Casey 1 0-0 2, Walsh 4 1-1 9. Totals 33 13-19 88.

MOUNTAIN VALLEY (92)

Garcia 3 1-2 7, Wright 1 2-2 4, Luzzi 1 1-2 3, McLaughlin 2 0-2 4, Dixon 4 0-1 8, Brice 9 0-1 21, Asiyo 6 2-5 16, Simmons 4 0-0 8, Amoroso 6 1-1 13, Knudsen 4 0-0 8. Totals 40 7-16 92.

Lehigh Valley East 43 45--88

Mountain Valley 51 41--92

3-point goals -- Dilts 3, Hightower 2, Lococo 2, Huber, Flood; Brice 3, Asiyo 2.