The Agganis All-Star Games brought together top high school basketball talent from the North Shore for an electrifying evening at Lynn Classical. Both the boys' and girls' contests delivered fast-paced action, long-range shooting, and standout performances that kept fans engaged throughout. The event, which featured teams coached by well-known local mentors, provided senior players one final opportunity to compete on a shared stage before moving on from their high school careers. Highlight-reel plays, clutch baskets, and emotional moments underscored the significance of the night, with MVP honors going to several standout athletes across both games.

From the opening tip-off of the boys’ game, the pace was intense, with sharpshooters making their presence felt early. South team members Luke Phelan and Devell Pamplin quickly found their rhythm from beyond the arc, setting the tone with back-to-back three-pointers. Despite the strong start, North responded with flair as Ethan Day completed a rare three-point play under pressure. As the first half progressed, Kevin Ahearn injected life into South’s offense, slicing through the defense and converting a crucial steal into immediate points, trimming the deficit just before halftime.

The second half belonged to Denzell Guillen, whose explosive scoring spree propelled South to victory. With 28 total points—20 of them coming after intermission—Guillen proved unstoppable, sinking six three-pointers and earning the South MVP award. Meanwhile, Angel Figueroa of Excel Academy put on a show for North, tallying 27 points and hitting five triples, but it wasn’t enough to close the gap. Coaches Marvin Avery and John Bakopolus expressed pride in guiding these athletes, many of whom will not continue their basketball careers beyond high school, emphasizing the importance of celebrating one last game together.

The girls’ game was equally compelling, marked by a flurry of three-point attempts and tightly contested play. Eva Boudreau lit up the scoreboard in the first half, draining five triples to help North build an early lead. Keisha Perez countered for South, contributing key baskets and creative assists. After halftime, Kiley Bloom took over, delivering clutch shots—including consecutive threes—that shifted momentum in favor of the South. Her second-half heroics sealed her status as MVP, while Boudreau earned the same honor for North. Amara Flores played a pivotal role late in regulation, hitting crucial free throws to secure the North’s 54-48 advantage.

Coaches Tom Sawyer and Mark Cole praised the effort and enthusiasm displayed by the players despite limited rosters and scheduling challenges. The competitive spirit and sportsmanship exhibited during the games highlighted the value of such events in bringing together communities and honoring student-athletes. With the basketball portion of the evening complete, attention now turns to the Agganis football game set for the following evening, promising another showcase of regional talent and school pride.