Reviving the East - West Game for the first time in many, many years, local high-school basketball officials not only treated fans to some entertaining pre-season action, but also got the thumbs up from the players as well, apparently.

"It's not a super serious game but it gives everyone a chance to see how the other teams play," said Lasalle Lancers veteran Sylas Asare-CorbiereLo-Ellen Park Knights.

Still, it wasn't enough to overcome the lead the East had built as the Knights and their brethren took the East-West Classic 158-143.

"We might not show everything, but you can learn from it," added Asare-Corbiere. "It might help in how you want to play in the future."

As for his team which were beaten 90-68 by Lo-Ellen in the city final last February, the multi-sport talent (Asare-Corbiere was recently named to the SDSSAA football all-star team as well) likes the way the 2023-2024 campaign is shaping up.

"We've got some good juniors coming in so we are getting better," he said. "We also have a new coach (Darcey Shallow), so we're learning some new plays that other teams don't know. So far, we look pretty solid."

A number of the same teams are back in action this weekend with the inaugural offering of the Cambrian Golden Shield Classic Basketball Tournment, with an even dozen junior and senior teams on hand for the event.

Following are game scores and leading scorers from the East - West game hosted at Cambrian College last week:

East - Bishop Carter 18 (Alex Lynds-8; Cody Osawamick-6)
West - Sudbury Secondary 21 (Abdul Abiodun-8; Antwan Baptiste-5)

East - Champlain 29 (Ty O'Bomsawin-8; Caleb Lalonde-8)
West - Macdonald-Cartier 33 (Felix St Onge-11; Aziz Issa-5)

East - St Charles 30 (Brandon Tru-10; Great Origbo-9)
West - Lively Hawks 10 (Jacob Mergaard-6)

East - Horizon 7 (Cowen Gouett-5)
West - Hanmer 18 (Kaleb Dupuis-6)

East - Lockerby 40 (Owen Turner-8; Zeb Aulenbach-8)
West - Notre-Dame 26 (Hayden Robert-14)

East - Lo-Ellen Park 34
West - Lasalle Lanncers 35