Playing for former UCSB women’s basketball coach Mark French in Friday night’s ChallengeBall game was: (LtoR) Lacey Gonzalez, Meghan Gnekow, Jessica Wilson, Jordan Franey, Ariana Gnekow, Elizabeth Evancoe, Sha-rae Gibbons-Mitchell, Danah Smith, Jessica Case, Cielo Prischak, and Faith Emerson. (James Daly Photo)
The Past-Prime Players were too much for Providence Hall’s All-Stars and their coach Mark French on Friday night, capitalizing on a clear size advantage to capture a 90-83 exhibition victory in Providence Hall’s ChallengeBall fundraiser.
A crowd several hundred strong were treated to seeing former UCSB women’s basketball coach Mark French reunite with some of his former players, including Jessica Wilson, Jordan Franey, Ariana Gnekow and Sha-rae Gibbons-Mitchell.
Current Providence Hall players Lacey Gonzalez, Faith Emerson and Cielo Prischak also played significant roles for the Providence Hall All-Stars, which whittled a double-digit deficit to three points in the fourth quarter. Westmont was represented by players Jessica Case and Elizabeth Evancoe, plus assistant coach and former USC player Meghan Gnekow.
Wilson and Evancoe led the All-Stars in scoring with 13 each while Gonzalez tallied 12.
The Past Prime team, coached by Santa Barbara Breakers President Curt Pickering, was led by Chris Hahs, a former Westmont player who stands 6’6″ and scored a game-high 18 points. Rob Crawford was equally as dangerous, matching Hahs’ 18 points.
James Kinzler, Dave Newton, and Jeff Mumm also scored in double digits, posting totals of 12, 13, and 11, respectively.
The fundraiser was the second annual ChallengeBall event that is organized to help out Providence Hall’s athletic program, which is competing in CIF for the first time this school year.
Mark French stands a head taller than his players in the huddle.
Providence Hall players Lacey Gonzalez, Faith Emerson and Cielo Prizchak.
Mark French, Keith Luberto, and Greg Knowles
Jessica Wilson drives for a layup. (James Daly Photo)
Chris Hahs gets an open look
Curt Pickering coached the Past Prime Time team and made sure everyone was on the same page before the game.
