What: Eighth annual Tribune/Star-News All-Star Classic
When: Saturday, April 23
Where: Damien High School
Girl’s game: 4:00pm
Boy’s game: 6:00pm
Admission: $8 adults, $5 students/children
Note: Boys practice tonight at Damien High School, 7-9 p.m. — Click thread for all the rosters.
By Aram Tolegian, Staff Writer
The early moments of the Tribune girls All-Star team’s first scrimmage may not have had Bonita High School girls basketball coach Darren Baumunk surprised, but he certainly could not have liked what he saw. Like someone who just bought his first sports car, Baumunk wanted to immediately see what was under the hood as it pertained to his All-Star team by having them briefly warm up and break out into an all-out scrimmage.
Through the first 12 minutes the Tribune managed only a 3-pointer by Bishop Amat’s Vianai Austin and looked little like a collection of the area’s top talent.
“I wasn’t worried because I don’t know how many girls were probably sitting for a month,” Baumunk said. “I knew it was going to take some time. It probably took them a good 15-20 minutes before they started making shots and got going.”
Once the All-Stars hit their stride, though, they showed why they just might get the east side of the Valley a much-needed win over the Star-News on Saturday at Damien. Tipoff for the girls game is 4 p.m.
The Tribune team, led by Bonita’s Madison Zylstra, Amat’s Lety Galarza and Austin and Northview’s Claudia Ramirez, showed how quickly the points may pile up this weekend.
The inside play of Walnut’s Amy McDill, St. Lucy’s Nicole Zugasti and Chino Hills’ Chariah Harris also added balance to a team that looks like it could play any style.
“I think we’ve got plenty of shooters and I think some of our shooters can play inside as well,” Baumunk said. “We’re just gonna run. I don’t think we’re going to worry about running an X’s and O’s type of thing.”
McDill shines bright
McDill may have had the most impressive night of any member of the team. The 6-foot forward dived for loose balls, grabbed rebounds and racked up several points with her post play.
“I think every time anyone gets out there, they’ve got something to prove,” McDill said. “Being around all this great competition, if I can just prove I can just hang with them or even be pretty good, then I will feel like I’ve really accomplished something.
“I felt like I did pretty well (tonight), but not as well as I usually do. They’re all great players and it was nice to play against them because they’re all really talented. I was just glad to come out and play. I hadn’t played in a while and it was nice to get all that pent-up energy out.”
McDill’s playing days may be over on Saturday, but she’s plenty good enough in the classroom to choose between attending Virginia or UC San Diego next year.
Having a laugh
The best verbal exchange of the night came late in the scrimmage when Amat sharpshooter Galarza shunned making a pass to teammate Andrea Villanueva and instead attempted a 3-pointer between the top of the key and half court.
After the shot missed badly, Villanueva glared at Galarza and said “OK, seriously?”
Galarza’s response: “What, I thought it was going in.”
aram.tolegian@sgvn.com
SAN GABRIEL VALLEY TRIBUNE ALL-STARS
BOYS TEAM
COACH: Eric Cooper, La Verne Lutheran
Center: Mark Roche, Arroyo
Forward: Brian Johnson, Northview
Forward: Jordan Butler, Bonita, Sr
Forward: German Pompa, La Puente
Forward: Sharif Watson, Rowland
Forward: Ray Santos, Nogales
Forward: Aubrey Coleman, Walnut,
Guard: C.J. Cooper, La Verne Lutheran
Guard: Daniel Rodriguez, Bishop Amat
Guard: James Northup, Bonita
Guard: Alvin Tan, Los Altos
Guard: Jimmy Ramirez, Baldwin Park
Guard: Tyler Hill, Bishop Amat
Guard: Gian-Franco Demano, Damien
Guard: Bruce English, La Verne Lutheran
Guard: Bryan Gholar, Walnut
GIRLS BASKETBALL
COACH: Darren Baumunk, Bonita
TRIBUNE TEAM
Forward: Jasmine Lee, Rowland
Forward: Vianai Austin, Bishop Amat
Forward: Chariah Harris, Chino Hills
Forward, Kaci Calton, Wilson
Forward: Amy McDill, Walnut
Forward: Nicole Zugasti, St. Lucy’s
Forward: Leticia Galarza, Bishop Amat
Guard: Franchesca Laza, Nogales
Guard: Tatyana Warren, Baldwin Park
Guard: Claudia Ramirez, Northview
Guard: Amber Del Real, West Covina
Guard: Nnenna Abaeze, Walnut
Guard: Alexis Arnold, Azusa
Guard: Taylor Anderson, Bonita
Guard: Madison Zylstra, Bonita
Guard: Andrea Villanueva, Bishop Amat
