Boston City League All-Star Game Team Seaforth, led by Boston United coach, Taron Seaforth

Boston City League All-Star Game Team Smallwood. Coached by former O’Bryant player, Shaleyse Smallwood.

All of the participants in this year’s All-Star Game received certificates from the Commonwealth through State Rep. Christopher Worrell.

Boston City League All-Star Game winners, Team Bunker, coached by Latin Academy Coach, Dan Bunker.

Congratulations to the John D. O’Bryant High School girls and Albert Holland Technical High School boys for winning consecutive City Championships. Coach Shaleyse Smallwood of O’Bryant) was named BPS Female Coach of the Year after leading her team to an 18-2 season, while Albert Holland’s Bulldogs finished with a 19-5 record under Joe Chatman. Also, Dan Bunker of Latin Academy was named Male Coach of the Year for a 17-5 season. Well done to all on outstanding basketball achievements.

On March 12, the Boston Public School All-Star games were held at the Ray and Joan Kroc (Salvation Army) Community and Recreation Center. Continuing a tradition spanning over two decades, this annual event featured the top high school female and male athletes from Boston Public Schools.

BPS Athletic Director Avery Esdaile said, “The beauty of this All-Star game is that it has been a showcase for city basketball players as well as a bonding element for our communities. These are the two key components for the success of these All-Star games. These young women and men get the chance to perform for their families, friends, peers and others. Being named a ‘Boston Public Schools All-Star’ is very special to every player who has ever played in this game. It is more than just the special citation that each player receives; it is about the pride that you feel by knowing that you’re one of the best basketball players in this city.”

This appreciation for the event is not limited to organizers; Esdaile’s sentiment is shared by the players and coaches who participate in this game.

Shaleyse Smallwood offered her perspective: “I played my high school basketball at John D. O’Bryant. I played in this same All-Star game many years ago. Today, I am the coach of the girls’ team at O’Bryant. I am honored to be coaching this event. It is part of my lineage.”

Likewise, Jason Harris, coach at East Boston High School since 2013, said, “This All-Star game is a beautiful chance for players to come together and play before their communities. You cannot underestimate the value of such an experience.”

Team Smallwood edged Team Harris by a slim margin, but that was secondary to the event’s atmosphere. Both games drew capacity crowds that enjoyed the skill and hustle of both teams. The “Elam Ending Rule” decided both games, eliminating lategame, intentional fouling for a natural finish: with under four minutes left, the clock stops and a target score (the leading score plus 8) is set; first to reach it wins.

In the boy’s All-Star game, Team Bunker rallied from a seven-point deficit to claim a 92-91 victory over Team Seaforth, thrilling the sellout crowd. Coach Dan Bunker, in his 21st year at Latin Academy, described it: “This was an exciting, competitive game with peak intensity in the fourth quarter and Elam ending. Both teams played with great energy to the winning basket.”

Adding to the memorable atmosphere, Taron Seaforth, seventh-year coach at Boston United, elegantly summed up the entire allstar event: “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”

Turning to player achievements, freshman point guard Nylah Hernandez (Boston United) was the leading scorer for the winning Team Smallwood squad, scoring 18 points. Elida Vicente (junior point guard from Snowden High School) led Team Harris with 13. Jerry Brown, a junior point guard from Charlestown High School, was the top scorer for the winning Team Bunker squad with 24 points. Senior center Michael Ekweanya (New Mission High) was the high scorer for Team Seaforth with 19 points.

Each All-Star team member will carry the memory of this game with them for life. After talking to many during the postgame celebration, I sensed the importance of it to each participant.

Coach Smallwood: “As years pass, these young people will cherish this memory. Players remember special moments —being on an all-star team means you’re one of the best. It’s been over 20 years since I played, but the memory is still fresh. I’m sure those in the 2026 game will feel the same.”

*Postscript: Reflecting the positive community spirit, there were no reports of misbehavior by anyone who attended this event.