EAST, WEST DIVIDE ALL-STAR BASKETBALL GAMES IN GREENSBORO
GREENSBORO — Jackson Simmons scored 19 points and pulled down 15 rebounds to lead the West All-Stars to a 100-93 victory over their counterparts from the East in the 63rd annual North Carolina Coaches Association East-West all-star men’s basketball game at the Greensboro Coliseum on Monday night.
Simmons, who starred at Smoky Mountain High School and will be attending the University of North Carolina, helped the West take advantage of a big size edge inside. Nine of his 15 rebounds were of the offensive variety and the West snared 32 offensive rebounds for the game.
Simmons was named the Most Valuable Player.
The West led throughout until the East battled back to tie the game at 89 with 2:36 to play. The West then hit key free throws down the stretch.
Miles Bowman of Parkland scored 16 points for the West while Terrence Williams of West Mecklenburg added 14.
For the East, Wakefield’s Xavier Saddler-Mee led the way with 15 points while Addison Spruill of Pender had 14. Marcus Walker of Raleigh Enloe had 12 points and seven rebounds.
Steve Robinson of Wallace-Rose Hill was the head coach of the East men while David Price of Dudley led the West.
In the women’s game, the East outlasted the West 66-58, ending a three-year losing streak for the East stars.
East Bladen’s Courtney Melvin, the 2011 North Carolina High School Athletic Association Female Athlete of the Year, paced the East with 18 points and 11 rebounds in just 19 minutes of play to earn Most Valuable Player honors.
Hannah Early of Hopewell and Jada Payne of Hickory paced the West, each scoring 14 points.
Debra Pegram of Beddingfield served as the East women’s head coach while Hendersonville’s Mike Norman was the West head coach.
