Kahuku's Denhym Brooke was named the Most Valuable Player for the boys game. Peter Caldwell | SL

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030815_1305_All-Star_065.JPG - Peter Caldwell | SL

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SALT LAKE — Smiles and laughter filled the air in the second annual Geremy Robinson High School Senior Classic.

A crowd of about 500 fans at Moanalua's gymnasium was on hand to witness 41 high school seniors play one final game on the hardwood floor Saturday night. There were two all-star games — one for each gender — that pitted players from the Oahu Interscholastic Association against their counterparts in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu. The games were played with two 20-minute halves. 

"I always had in my mind that I wanted to get basketball to another level out here," said Geremy Robinson, a former University of Hawaii basketball player. "Just seeing talented players, but they don't get the shot in their futures. I said to myself, I'm going to take it upon myself with my credentials to do somethings for the youth and try to build basketball out here."

The ILH girls team, coached by Maryknoll's Chico Furtado, prevailed over the OIA girls' team, which was coached by Radford's Charles Chong. The boys' game went the way of the OIA boys team, which was coached by Kalaheo's Alika Smith. Punahou's Darren Matsuda coached the ILH boys team.

Maryknoll's Maegen Martin and Kahuku's Denhym Brooke took home most valuable player honors for their respective all-star games. Martin had a double-double performance of 17 points and 10 rebounds to lead the ILH girls to a 72-65 win (the scoreboard incorrectly read 73-64). Brooke had 24 points, most of which came on dunks, to lead the OIA boys' squad in a 121-102 victory.

"I've never had an MVP and I've never had an all-star game; it's just been fun," said Brooke, who also won the dunk contest. Brooke is one of three Kahuku players that transferred from New Zealand this year.

"I had a lot of fun with the boys even though I've only come over here this year," he added. "I've only played with them now but it seems like we get along quite well."

Although the boys' game had a lot of highlight worthy dunks and long-range 3-pointers that excited the fans in attendance, Robinson was not too pleased with the lack of defense.

"I'd rather them play a little harder honestly," said Robinson. "We are trying to bring basketball out of the gutter. When something like this occurs, people are naysayers. I just want to display the talent out here. In a game where we display our talents, they have to show that they're talented. I'm a little disappointed but still in all it was fun for them and happy, so it's still a positive at the same time."

The girls' game was much closer with the final score having a margin of seven points. At various points throughout the contest, intentionally fouls was needed to give the girls in the game a much needed breather. 

"I was proud of the girls," said Robinson. "They came out and they competed. The teams also played a much even pace. I was proud of the girls' game. It was a really exciting game. They came out hard and played against each other really good."

University High's Markayisha Masani, one of six Division II players on the ILH girls team, had one of the best all-around performances of the night with 17 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and five steals.

"I never got to play much in the state tournament because I went up to the mainland for a volleyball trip," said Masani. "It was fun getting to play basketball again."

Saint Francis' Lacey Satele finished with 13 points to round out the ILH girls that scored in double figures. Radford's Jasmine Moody led the OIA girls team in the loss with 16 points and six boards.

The boys' game had a total of 13 players that finished with 10 or more points. Kaiser's Kelsey Lewis II, Moanalua's Kyrie McRaven and Mililani's Clarence Gathers each scored 16 points for the OIA boys team. Also in double figures for the OIA boys team were Aiea's Christian Kessell (15 points) and Kalaheo's Kaleb Gilmore (11 points).

Hawaii Baptist's BJ Hosaka led the ILH boys team in the loss with 21 points. Other players scoring in double figures for the ILH boys team were Punahou's Dayson Watanabe (14 points) and Justin Kam (13 points), Mid-Pacific's Drew Kargol (13 points), Saint Louis' Jimmy Nunuha (11 points) and Ihaka Johnson (10 points) and Iolani's Erik Yamada (10 points).

Roosevelt's Starr Rivera and Hosaka were winners in the 3-point contest shootout. Hosaka won it over Campbell's Michael Merchant in the championship round by scoring 12 out of a possible 15 points.

Robinson made mention after the game that there is a possibility that the third installment of the all-star game will have a draft style format that splits the two teams. He also hopes to get some of the neighbor island players involved in next year's game.