Third annual award for boys and girls Players of Year
Springfield, MA – The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced today the winners of the third annual Western Massachusetts Player of the Year awards presented by Curry Honda. The awards are presented annually at the Western Massachusetts Senior High School All-Star Games held Friday, March 22nd on the Jerry Colangelo Court of Dreams at the Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame also announced the recipients of the Basketball Hall of Fame’s Senior Boys and Girls Scholarship Award presented by Curry Honda.
“This year’s award winners are not only notable athletes, but are also great role models for their peers,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. “It is always exciting to celebrate great talent in Western Massachusetts and it is truly an honor to recognize this year’s Player of the Year recipients.”
The third annual boys’ basketball player of the year award goes to Kamari Robinson from Central High School. Robinson helped lead the Golden Eagles to a state championship last year as a junior and to consecutive Western Massachusetts Division 1 Championship games. In a win over Sci-Tech, the senior forward finished with 23 points and surpassed the 1,000-point milestone in the second quarter on a foul shot. Robinson was a key contributor in the success of Central’s programs over the past four years.
The third annual girls’ basketball player of the year goes to Stephanie Young a senior forward from Lee High School. Young most recently lead her team to the Western Massachusetts Girls Division III Championship, finishing the game with 27 points and 17 rebounds. This past December, Stephanie reached the 1,000-point club for the Wildcats and was a key factor in the success of the program over the last four years.
The Player of the Year award winners were selected by a distinguished panel of local media members. Criteria for the awards include achievement on the court, sportsmanship and character off the court.
The Hall of Fame will also be recognizing the two recipients of the Basketball Hall of Fame Senior Scholarship awards presented by Curry Honda, at the Western Massachusetts Senior High School All-Star Games.
The Senior Girls Scholarship award goes to Ava Adamopolous, a four-year member of the Ludlow High School girl’s varsity basketball team. Finishing her senior season averaging 15 points per game and 12 rebounds per game, Ava was selected as the team’s “Will to Win” athlete for the 2012 season. She will go down in school history as the second All-Time leading rebounder. Over the past four years Ava has volunteered her free time at the Lions Pride Sports Clinics week long summer basketball camp. She will be attending Springfield College in the fall.
The Senior Boys Scholarship award goes to Chris Lipscomb, a four-year varsity basketball player from West Springfield High School. Chris was captain of both the basketball and football team this past season. He is heavily involved in his community, volunteering his time at church dinners, Katlyn’s ride for three years and reconnecting youth program/club. Through out his four years Chris has maintained a 3.5 gpa and has narrowed his college choices down to WNEU and Endicott where he is being heavily recruited for both sports.
Tickets for the All-Star game will be available at the Hall of Fame box office the night of the games and will be good for all three games that evening. The first game at 5:30pm will feature the boys Division II team against the boys Division III team; the second game will be the girls’ game at 7:00pm and the final game of the evening will be the Boys Division I game at 8:30pm.
About the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame:
Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the Birthplace of Basketball, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame promotes and preserves the game of basketball at every level – professional, collegiate, men and women.
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