He usually spends his time with a camera, interviewing high school sports figures at games before heading home to video edit. But Saturday afternoon, Lynn’s Mukala Kabongo put on his organizing cap.

Before Kentucky Derby bets and Bruins’ Game 7 stress, were the first “After the Whistle High School Basketball All-Star Games” at Lynn Tech, named after Kabongo’s Lynn Community Television podcast in which local high school, college, and professional sports are discussed.

“Originally, Lynn Tech (boys) coach Corey Bingham contacted me. He, kind of, pointed out the idea of an All-Star Game – something new,” said Kabongo, a 2006 graduate of Lynn English. “We were working behind the scenes along with Lynn English (boys) coach Alvin Abreu. The main premises were to highlight our kids in the area, do something ourselves, and give players something to look forward to after the season is over. They get to represent their schools and, for some of them, it’s their last time playing with their friends.”

With two boys games and one girls game, they were originally planned as Boston vs. Lynn showdowns. Due to AAU scheduling conflicts, the day turned into a mixture, but a successful one, according to Kabongo.

“I’m happy. I’m happy with the turnout,” he said. “Some Boston players couldn’t make it, but we audibled.”

In the first boys game, Richie Warren Sr. coached his side to victory against his son, Richie Warren Jr. Malden Catholic’s Messiah Johnson was named Most Valuable Player.

As for the girls game, St. Mary’s guard Bella Owumi scored 29 points to earn her MVP nod. Helen Ridley Ashe’s team won against the opposition coached by Ebony White.

“It was a back-and-forth game. Bella stood out, continuing her great year,” Kabongo said.

Wrapping things up was the second boys game. Lynn Tech’s Ederick Gonzalez continued his stellar senior campaign with MVP honors. Antonio Anderson’s side defeated Tony Gallo’s group.

“It was great to have Antonio there,” Kabongo said of Anderson, who played at Tech before suiting up at Memphis College and joining the Charlotte Bobcats organization. “Some kids aren’t familiar with him, so it was great to have him come down, be there, and talk with the players. It was good for people to establish relationships with him, too.”

When asked about the balance between competition and fun, a chuckling Kabongo was quick to respond.

“When you get kids who know each other, they always want to outdo each other,” he said. “The first two games were definitely competitive – especially the first one that kicked it off.”

There were referees, customized shirts, music speakers, and plaques (courtesy of Harrington’s Trophies & Awards, as well as Kabongo’s mother, Tish, and stepdad, Bawa Wavezwa) – the whole nine yards.

As for how rosters were constructed, Kabongo pointed to a conversation he had with Bingham and Abreu.

“It was a three-way phone call, just trying to break it down,” he said. “The needs, matchups, and stuff like that. We picked shooters, athletes, and people with high motors. There are a lot of great players, so it was hard.”

Regarding the event becoming an annual one, Kabongo said, “That’s the plan.”

“We want to do this every year,” he said. “We want to highlight our players and, also, we want to give them a chance to play against competition they might not be able to play against in the regular season.”