Seconds after tipoff of the Santa Clarita Valley Hoops Finale, Saugus High’s Anthony McIntyre nabbed a pass and dribbled across the court for a dunk.
“People were like, ‘Mac got no bounce,’” McIntyre said. “I kind of wanted to shut everybody up.”
There was plenty of fun at The Signal’s eighth annual SCV Hoops Finale at Saugus High School on Thursday, a fundraiser for special education programs through the William S. Hart Union High School District’s WiSH Education Foundation.
PHOTOS: The Signal’s eighth annual SCV Hoops Finale
“It was a lot of fun going out with all these guys and playing for one last time,” said Valencia’s Matt Justice. “It was just a great way to cap off our senior year.”
The “home” team of Golden Valley’s Tahj Thompson, Adam Taraceno, Josh Jehnings and Jose Colon; Saugus’ McIntyre and Zach Phipps; and Santa Clarita Christian’s AJ Caldwell, Jacob Moss and Josh Fehr won 79-77.
Saugus boys hoops coach Bill Bedgood coached the “home” team, while Canyon’s Alex Dunwoody coached the “away” team.
McIntyre was named the game MVP, leading all scorers with 28 points.
Phipps (26 points) competed and won against McIntyre and Jehnings in the dunk contest with a performance that featured jumping over West Ranch’s Chris Joo for a slam.
“I kind of prepared a little bit of it, but I also made a lot up along the way,” Phipps said of his contest strategy.
Justice won the three-point shooting contest. He then made seven shots in 45 seconds in a bonus round against former Los Angeles Laker and special guest Mike Penberthy in the final round. Penberthy made nine shots.
“Tell him I want a rematch,” Justice said.
Seniors from across the SCV were invited to the event. West Ranch’s Chris Joo and Canyon’s Josue Valencia each had 18 points.
“It’s kind of great to get a feel for other team’s guys in a more relaxed environment where you’re not going after each other 100 percent,” Bedgood said. “It’s good to see what other kids can do and just see combinations of players you don’t normally see.”