County shines at All-Star basketball game
At the 11th Annual CSRA Middle School All-Star Game, held last weekend at Josey High School, the young ladies from Columbia County showed how far the county has come in girls basketball.
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Team Blue knocked off Team Red 54-43, with Jahmia Bradley of Murphy Middle School earning Most Valuable Player honors by scoring 14 points.
Grovetown Middle School's Malia Kency had a big night, too. The talented point guard was the only other member of Team Blue in double figures with 10 points. She also took home the title in the 3-point competition. Greenbrier Middle School's Brandy Hardaway also chipped in for Team Blue with 2 points.
For Team Red, Evans Middle School point guard Autumn Johnson poured in a game-high 15 points. She got help from her Evans teammate Caroline George, who had 5 points. Harlem's Kelsi Barrs (4 points), Grovetown's Alayah Canteen (2 points) and Taylor Dupree (2 points) of Riverside helped keep Team Red in the game.
For Team Red, Columbia County players scored 28 of the team's 43 points.
In the boys game, Team Red came away with a 71-65 win as Glenn Hills standout Michael Scott stole the show. The speedy guard scored 14 points and harassed the opposition into several turnovers, which led to baskets for Team Red.
Tevon Horton (Grovetown) and Damian Foreman (Evans) scored 6 and 2 points respectively for Team Blue in the loss.
On Saturday evening, it was the high school stars' time to shine. The high school event at Augusta State University's Christenberry Fieldhouse on Wrightsboro Road pitted the top graduating seniors from Georgia versus the best from South Carolina.
In the event's previous 10 years, Team Georgia held an impressive 9-1 record in the boys contest. This weekend, however, was the Palmetto State's time to shine. Team Carolina blew out Team Georgia 100-65, led by D.J. Rowe (Keenan High School) and Devon Davis (North Augusta). Rowe had 14 points and Davis had 13 to lead a balanced Team Carolina attack. Tony Davis of Evans High School chipped in 3 points for Team Georgia in the loss.
In the girls game, Warren County star Candace Warthen dazzled the crowd with an array of shots and fancy passes en route to 24 points and game MVP honors as Team Georgia picked up a 83-64 win. Warthen has signed to play at the University of Arizona next season.
Team Georgia also got a big game from Jessica Morton of Glenn Hills. The 5-foot-11 forward had four 3-pointers and 23 points to help Team Georgia to the convincing victory.