The future of high school basketball in the area was prominently on display at Saturday’s Maryann Wallace Pangburn All-Star Classic.
Over 300 filled the stands at Manteca High’s Winter Gym to see the Top 20 Acorn League players among seventh- and eighth- graders.
The North rolled past the South in the boys’ all-star game, 57-33.
Elijah Dunn of Komure School – he was named Most Valuable Player for his defense and play at point guard while netting 15 points – and Joseph Widmer School’s Harold Gary IV led the North.
Gary led all scorers with 24 points including four 3s. Bryan Howe of New Haven added 10 points and solid defense play.
Jacorey Franklin of Lincoln School led the South with seven points and six boards.
The South defeated the North in the girls’ all-star game, 56-24.
Kiara White of Veritas School led the way for the speedy South – the team was also praised for moving the ball – scoring 14 points and collecting five rebounds for the South while winning MVP.
Kierstin Constantino from Mossdale School and Ryen Scott from Joshua Cowell School added 12 and eight points, respectively.
Janay Holmes from Great Valley School had five points to lead the North.
Overall, the event held in memory of former MUSD teacher Maryann Wallace Pangburn was deemed a big success.
“The fans saw great basketball, the players had a wonderful time, and the Acorn League made some money to help with future student activities,” said Bob Wallace, Pangburn’s father and current Manteca Unified school board member. “It was a win-win for everybody.”
This was the ninth time the game was played in memory of Pangburn.
Former MVPs include Sequoia’s Jorge Cedano (Manteca High) and Joseph Widmer’s Mary Cotton (Lathrop High) in 2015, and Woodward’s RaShawn Ballard (Manteca High) and August Knodt’s Nia Boston (Weston Ranch) in 2016.