BEE STANDOUT WRAPS UP CAREER IN THE HIVE
By Dom DiPasqua/Staff Writer
Thursday night, March 27, 2014
BROADVIEW HEIGHTS – At 9:47 this evening Jon Balhorn walked off the high-gloss hardwood in the fabulous Bee Hive for the final time. That put a shiny red ribbon on his neatly packaged career at Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School.
Balhorn, a 6-4 senior, started for the West team in the third of three Greater Cleveland Basketball Coaches Association All-Star games contested here in the big gym on the hill. And even through his team was on the short-end of a 107-86 dunk-fest it was a special night for the Bees Most Valuable Player.
Balhorn was nominated to play in the 3oth annual post-season event by his head coach Steve Mehalik. He was selected by a pool of coaches.
“It was fun. I ended up playing with a lot of guys that I played against. It was fun to talk to them and get out here and play with them one last time,” Balhorn said at the conclusion of the game. “There were four other guys from our conference, guys from North Royalton and St. Ignatius, all guys that I played against. So it was fun.”
Fellow Southwestern Conference players Michael Schuller and Devon Posey (Berea-Midpark), along with Seth Muck (Avon Lake) and Makis Beach (Westlake) were members of the West team that was coached by the Titans Duke Barther.
Balhorn averaged 13 points and 10 rebounds per game this season for the 12-9 Bees. His legacy will be that he was one of the hardest workers to ever toil on the hardwood for the red and gold.
“I’ve been in this gym a lot. I’ve spent more time in here than probably any other room in this building,” said Balhorn. “I was just happy to be chosen to play in this game and play one more time on this court.”
“Jonny Balhorn was the hardest worker that we have had,” said Mehalik. “He deserves to be in this game tonight.”
The East team broke out to an 18-0 lead by the time only 3:30 had elapsed off the clock. The West actually cut the gap to four at one point in the second quarter. But the reality was that the West had found itself in too big of a hole to dig out of.
LINE SCORE:
EAST 24 26 30 27 = 107
WEST 13 26 23 24 = 86
STAR GAZING:
Veteran officials Mark Tinsley, Chris Jarous and Gerald Parks worked the game. They did so voluntarily as a service to the GCBCA. Three better guys and referees you won’t find.
North Royalton was represented by Logan Chuppa and Nick Woods. Chuppa had a solid game. He has narrowed his college choices to; Lake Erie College, Wooster, John Carroll and Hiram. Chuppa, whose father Dean was the former Lady Bears head coach, will play basketball at the next level.
Royalton head coach Tim Matus was in the house, albeit without the Honey Jar.
Jon Balhorn, a first-team All-SWC selection, will attend The Ohio State University next year.
Lady Bee players Kaylee Vadini and Kendall Brown, two of the three Special K’s, made the scene. They are big basketball fans and enjoyed the high level of play that the three games offered. “He is eatin’, getting buckets and making money!” Vadini and Brown said in unison of Balhorn.
Brecksville staff members were kept busy, along with high-ranking officials of the GCBCA, including Mehalik. Trainer Tom Iannetta, fortunately had an easy night. Junior varsity coach Justin Harnist and student assistant coach Brandon Halupnik kept things under control at the scorers table. And the longtime voice of the GCBCA, Dennis Kushlak, entertained the crowd from behind the microphone.
QUOTES OF THE NIGHT:
“A traveling call and a double-dribble call back-to-back? That’s an all-star game record.” – Dennis Kushlak.
“It’s halftime. Where are the Twirlers, the HoneyBees and the little kids games?” – (BBHHS assistant) Steve Piorkowski.
Please stay tuned to the Bees website during the off-season for periodic program news and updates.
See You At The Bee Hive!
To contact: Ddipa67834@aol.com.
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