24th Annual Lions All-Star Basketball Game

24^th Annual Lions All-Star Basketball Game Results – Simpson University 

March 31, 2019  By Jim Reimer

Fifty-one players representing twenty-six northern California schools played in the 24^th Annual Lions All-Star Basketball game Sunday afternoon at Simpson University.  Many of the players were fresh off league and state playoff activity which ended in mid-March.  Both the boys’ and girls’ teams were laced with a number of all-league players and several MVPs including U-Prep Coach of the Year, Mark Stephens, who coached his South Boys team to an 87-74 victory.  The South Girls team was also victorious with an 82-64 win.

The girl’s game was totally dominated by two Eastern Athletic Conference All-Stars playing together for the South.  Jesse Miller from Red Bluff was named the girls MVP with a total of 30 points followed closely by MVP runner-up Jadyn Matthews with 28.  Both girls ruled both ends of the floor.  Their combined 58 points, including a number of three pointers, made up the bulk of the total 84 points scored by the winning South Girls team.  On defense, the two girls shut down Coach Weber’s North team with blocked shots,aggressive rebounding and forced turnovers.  The two six footers totally closed the inside lanes and forced their smaller opponents to shoot lower percentage shots from the perimeter. The North team had only two players in double figures. Lily Hitchcock ended with 10 points and Nichole Yasumi from Modoc led with 13.

Both Boys teams enjoyed themselves in this relaxed post season atmosphere and offered the full capacity crowd a blend of exciting alley-oops, three pointers and above the rim dunks.  A balanced scoring attack by the South team ended shooting a respectable 45% from the field and proved to be the deciding factor compared to the 33% put up by the North.  Northern Athletic League All-Star Tyler Chan from West Valley led his winning South team with 14 points followed by Five Star League All-Star Austin Larson from Redding Christian with 12.  Spencer Flynn from Mercy added 11 points.

The only two North players to end in double figures were Eastern Athletic League All-Star Joshiah Hunt from Foothill High School. He was named the game MVP and led all scoring with 17 points.  Shasta Cascade League All-Star Kody Bauman from Mt. Shasta finished with 16 points in the North’s loss.

The Redding Breakfast Lions Club would like to thank Simpson University for the use of their staff and excellent facilities.  Our club would also like to offer a special thanks to the Anderson High School Pep Band and their leader, Mr. Michael Costa.  Special appreciation goes out to the many local sponsors who support the game. Without them, our Breakfast Lions club could not provide the many community service projects we’re involved in.