Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Avancini's 14 helps West girls to victory
Radford's Jon Thompson earns MVP honors with 18, but the West boys can't rally after halftime
HAMPTON -- Floyd County's Brittany Avancini's scored two of the last four points for the West team, as the squad rallied for a 78-75 win over the East in the VHSCA Girls All-Star Basketball Game on Tuesday at the Hampton Coliseum.
In the boys' game, the East broke open a close game by in the second quarter, then went on to a 110-94 victory.
Avancini, who had 14 points for the West girls, hit a pair of free throws that put the West up by three with 10.4 seconds to play. Her team had taken the lead for good with 23 seconds to play when Turner Ashby's Nikki Newman scored.
Avancini also played a big role in the a 22-9 run midway through the fourth quarter that helped the West overcome a 60-51 deficit.
Bethel High's Amber Easter, who had 18 of her 20 points in the second half, was the game's most valuable player.
Franklin County's Brittany Helms had 12 points for the West.
Christianburg's Dani Motley added 11, and George Wythe's Ashley Buckhannon finished with one point.
In the boys game the East outscored the West 30-14 in the second quarter. It was the result of some quality pressure defense and solid offensive play, according to William Fleming coach Mickey Hardy, who coached the West squad.
"We played well in spurts, but they were really consistent," Hardy said. "They were very quick and they shot the ball well all night."
Omari Minor of Charlottesville scored 19 points and was named the East team's MVP.
Radford's Jon Thompson -- The Roanoke Times' boys athlete of the year -- finished with a team-high 18 points for the West and was name his team's MVP.
Thompson came off the bench to hit three 3-pointers, came up with some key offensive rebounds early in the game, then converted a couple of break-away dunks in the second half.
William Fleming's Troy Daniels scored 12 points, including a pair of 3-pointers.
Liberty's Carlton Payne finished with nine points. William Fleming's Jamelle Hagins had eight points and Liberty's Chris Harmon had four.
Girls game
East (75)
Armstead 4, Fox 4, Jones 5, Davis 18, Harrison-Lewis 17, Lamneck 11, Payne 9, Williams-Hayes 7.
West (78)
Buckhannon 1, Frye 4, Avancini 14, Boston 2, Cluesman 4, McGartland 2, Motley 11, Newman 6, Nelms 12, Easter 20, Tiller 2.
East 10 19 22 24 -- 75
West 13 17 19 29 -- 78
(3-point information not available)
Boys game
EAST (110)
Bynum 10, Sherwood 4, Wynn 16, Dille 4, Giggetts 6, Minor 19, Johnson 6, Leatherwood 12, White 13, Carey 20. Totals: 41 17-31 110.
WEST (94)
Amponasah 2, Thompson 18, Anderson 5, Hagins 8, Harmon 4, Coles 9, Brinkley 11, Phillips 14, Mitchell 2, Daniels 12, Payne 9. Totals: 36 14-22 94.
East 21 30 28 31 -- 110
West 21 14 26 35 -- 94
3-point goals: East 11 (Bynum 2, Wynn 4, Giggetts, Minor 2, Leatherwood 2), West 8 (Thompson 3, Anderson, Coles, Daniels 2, Payne).
