Host Raiders roll in Bubba Classic

Photo by: David Dermer

The Vindicator (Youngstown)

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Ursuline’s Khiree Gregory soars over Mooney’s Danny Reese during the second round of a dunk contest at the Frank Bubba Memorial Classic on Wednesday at Warren Harding High School.

Craig McFerrin and Tre’ Brown lead a high-flying hoops victory

By Tom Williams

williams@vindy.com

WARREN

The opportunity to play for fun on their home court one last time was all the motivation Warren Harding seniors Craig McFerrin, Tre’ Brown and Quenten Jackson needed to put on a show.

During Wednesday’s 10th annual Frank Bubba Memorial Classic, McFerrin earned Trumbull team MVP honors by scoring 17 points and making 14 rebounds in a 77-70 victory over Mahoning.

In the girls game, Boardman seniors Brooke Meenachan and Kayleigh Lipke had a different basketball experience — helping a former archrival earn MVP honors while playing without constant encouragement from the bench.

Meenachan scored 13 points while Fitch’s Erica Braxton earned Mahoning MVP honors by scoring 11 points and making five rebounds in their 61-51 victory over Trumbull.

“It felt pretty good,” McFerrin said of Trumbull’s boys win. “I’m glad I just got to play with my teammates for one last good time. Our chemistry was pretty good.”

Brown contributed 14 points while Howland’s T.J. Lanier scored 13 for the Trumbull team coached by LaBrae’s Chad Kiser who also coached Tuesday’s all-star squad on Tuesday in the Al Beach Classic in Boardman.

“We had a few more athletes tonight,” Kiser said. “It was fun to watch those high-flyers — it’s amazing how athletic some of these kids are.”

Youngstown Christian’s Anthony Walker was chosen MVP for Mahoning after scoring 22 points.

“I had a lot of fun,” Walker said. “There was a lot of talent out there. It was a good experience.”

Canfield’s Danny Campolito scored 13 points and Jackson-Milton’s Bobby Schnellbach 12 for Mahoning.

In the slam-dunk contest, Brown was joined by three Ursuline players — Khiree Gregory, DeVante Jenkins and Atiim Smith.

Gregory and Smith advanced to the final where Gregory won it after Smith’s last-second attempt trickled into the net.

In the 3-point shooting contest, Newton Falls’ Cody Dillon won with 16 baskets in 60 seconds. Following him were South Range’s Brandon Pluchinsky with 13, Badger’s Joe Braho with 11, Badger’s John Moy with 10 and Canfield’s Will Yobi with six.

After the girls game, Braxton said the experience was “really different.

“We practiced a couple of days ago and any meanness [was gone],” Braxton said. “It was amazing playing with people that you’ve played against.”

Meenachan and Lipke, who were three-year starters for the always vocal Ron Moschella, said they had to adjust to the quieter setting as Fitch’s Stacie Cepin and the other coaches pretty much sat back and enjoyed the show.

“I missed Coach Moschella’s voice, I’m not used to the non-screaming,” Meenachan said. “So it was pretty relaxing. And it was a lot of fun competing against [players] from other areas.”

Lipke said, “It was an adjustment, it was fun playing with the [Fitch players]. They’ve always been our rivals but they are very nice.”

Harding’s Kourtney Williams scored 16 points to earn Trumbull MVP honors. Warren JFK’s Paige Klaric scored eight points.

“It was fun to get to know the other players,” said Williams who added that she hasn’t spent much time on the court since Harding’s season ended about a month ago and was winded. “I like how Coach [John Baytos of Warren JFK] divided us up into fives to sub us.”

Struthers’ Katelyn Ardale won the 3-point contest with 11 treys. She was followed by Mineral Ridge’s Brittney Bevilacqua with 10, Ursuline’s Sydney Beasley with six and Champion’s Gabby Lamont with five.

“I’m surprised I even made it to the [final], actually,” said Ardale who has been preparing for track. “I really haven’t practiced since finishing basketball season so I am really surprised.”