Herman lights it up in Freedom jersey for last time at Via classic – lehighvalleylive.com

There were plenty of girls on the floor Saturday who are continuing their basketball careers at the next level.

That didnt stop Freedoms Meckenzie Herman from swiping the spotlight, however.

The senior guard poured in a game-high 16 points to pace the East all-stars to a 56-49 victory over the West in the Via All-Star Basketball Classic at Northampton Community College.

Herman, who will continue her academics at Penn State University, knocked down four 3-pointers, including a buzzer-beater at the end of the second quarter that had her holstering imaginary pistols as she walked back to the bench.

Its an all-star game, the Patriot said. I was just going to play to my talents and what Im good at. I just came out and shot the ball well.

Northamptons Aja Blount knocked down a pair of free throws to bring the West within 47-46 in the fourth quarter.

Eastons Olivia George responded with a 3-pointer, however, for the East. Her classmate, Shelby Stocker, then rattled off six straight points to put the game away.

We all played well together, obviously, Herman said. We came away with the W.

Herman was joined by teammate Kaitlyn Swint at the Via competition. Both Patriots were grateful to get back on the court and create a positive memory, after the heartbreak of losing to Parkland in the District 11 Class 6A quarterfinals.

It was a way better ending to my senior career, said Swint, who will play at East Stroudsburg University. Its good to see where Im at now and I cant wait to see where I am next season.

Despite the untimely ending, Freedom halted two playoff droughts this winter by making districts for the first time since 2010 and leagues for the first time since 2006.

We inspired the juniors, who are hopefully going to carry the team forward next year, Herman said. We were hoping to get a little bit further than we did. That didnt play out the way (we wanted), but were still really happy.

Blount, the Via Girls Basketball Player of the Year, tallied 15 points. Parklands Emily Piston added nine points for the West.

Stocker, another player signing off from organized basketball, finished with 12 points for the East.

Herman had mixed emotions about her last high school hoops competition, but she couldnt have any complaints about her performance.

It was good to go out with a bang in my last game wearing a Freedom uniform, she said. Its very sad Kaitlyn and I, were just such good teammates, being captains at Freedom, it was just nice to play with her one last time.

West 16 12 11 10 49

East 12 19 9 16 56

WEST ALL-STARS (49)

Emily Piston (Parkland) 3 0-0 9, Devon Saul (Northampton) 1 2-2 4, Rachel Medlar (Parkland) 3 0-0 6, Joyce Sullivan (Pleasant Valley) 2 0-0 6, Jackie Garner (Catasauqua) 0 0-0 0, Jade Biviano (Catasauqua) 1 2-2 4, Kalla Borden 0 0-0 0, Brielle Rigo (Northampton) 1 0-0 2, Devyn Anderson (Parkland) 1 1-2 3, Natalia Salmon (Pleasant Valley) 0 0-0 0, Aja Blount (Northampton) 3 7-8 15. Totals: 15 12-14 49.

EAST ALL-STARS (56)

Olivia George (Easton) 1 0-0 3, Meckenzie Herman (Freedom) 5 2-2 16, Kaitlyn Swint (Freedom) 1 0-0 2, Neelam Ferrari (Moravian Academy) 0 0-0 0, Gabby Bloshuk (Easton) 1 0-0 3, Tessa Brugler (Nazareth) 2 1-2 5, Jessica Durnin (Nazareth) 3 0-0 6, Cailee Murphy (Notre Dame) 0 0-0 0, Shelby Stocker (Easton) 5 2-2 12, Cecily Redfern (Moravian Academy) 1 2-4 4, Mackenzie Miers (Easton) 2 1-2 5. Totals: 21 8-12 56.

3-pointers: Piston 3, Sullivan 2, Blount 2; Herman 4, George, Bloshuk.

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Gallery: 2017 Via All-Star Basketball Classic: Girls games

Kyle Craig may be reached atkcraig@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter@KyleCraigSports. Find Lehigh Valley high school sports on Facebook.

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Herman lights it up in Freedom jersey for last time at Via classic - lehighvalleylive.com