Roundball Classic roundup: Latrobe’s Dudzenski leads East team to convincing victory

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, April 20, 2018 | 9:51 PM

Latrobe's Marcus Dudzenski had never played in an all-star game before Friday night.

But the 6-foot-6 senior made the most of it by leading the East squad with 22 points in a 118-95 victory over the West in the 15th annual Roundball Classic at Geneva's Metheny Field House.

“This is the first one, and I'm told it's the best one,” Dudzenski said. “It was fun out there. Everybody's relaxed, but everybody's playing hard. My shots were falling, and it was a good night.”

Dudzenski hadn't met any of his East teammates before Wednesday's workout and Thursday's banquet, but after Friday's game he “felt like he'd known them for years.”

Dudzenski is headed for York College in the fall. He will major in supply chain management.

Mike Goga of Baldwin had 18 points, and Kyle Meinert of Upper St. Clair's foul shot in the fourth quarter allowed the East to hit the 100-point mark.

Lorenzo Gardner of WPIAL Class 4A champion New Castle was named the West's MVP after scoring 16 points. Tay Lindsey of Ambridge had 15.

Class 2A/City 99, District 10 96 — In what was by far the closest game of the night, Class 2A/City had a 79-61 lead after three quarters before District 10 rallied.

Issac Thrasher of Grove City shoveled off to Jimmy Ammon of Mercer to bring District 10 to within 96-94 with 1 minute, 29 seconds left.

Westinghouse's James Ellis made one of two free throws and Ammon hit another basket to make it 97-96. But Carrick's Y'Shua Bragg hit two free throws and Sharon's Ramell Askernesse missed a 3-point attempt with 4 seconds left that would have tied it.

Allderdice's Tyler Williams scored 23 and was named MVP.

“It was a nice atmosphere here,” Williams said. “It got pretty intense at the end, but we pulled through.”

Williams, who is undecided on a college choice, was happy that his City League colleagues Ellis and Bragg also did well.

Thrasher, who had five 3-pointers, was the District 10 MVP with 19 points.

Girls basketball

East 103, West 57 — The East girls squad won in a rout to open the Roundball Classic. The East took a 13-2 lead to start the game and never looked back.

The only suspense left was whether the West would hit the century mark, and Kelsey Green of Belle Vernon made sure of that, hitting a 3-pointer late in the game.

Caitlin Carnuche of Mohawk led the East with 15 points and was named team MVP.

“This was a great experience,” Carnuche said. “After not playing together and not having great chemistry, we came out here strong.”

Carnuche will be playing at Penn State Behrend, outside of Erie. She is undecided on a major.

Alayna Ziegler of Seton La Salle chipped in with 13 points, likewise for Kasey Kaczorowski of Bishop Canevin.

Sto-Rox's Lexi Frazee took MVP honors for the West with 12 points. Alex Jones of St. Joseph had nine points and played well on both ends.

George Guido is a freelance writer.

Tags: Ambridge, Baldwin, Belle Vernon, Latrobe, Mohawk, New Castle, Seton-LaSalle, Sto-Rox, Upper St. Clair