Lion lifts East boys in overtime

While balanced scoring sends the West girls to victory.

By JUSTIN DARGAHI
Published March 10, 2007

TAMPA - It was an all-star game that had the intensity of a district playoff game.

King's Treece Lynch hit a 3-pointer with 10 seconds to go to give the East a thrilling 54-53 overtime win over the West in the 22nd annual Wilkes and McHugh United Negro College Fund All-Star Game on Friday.

"It just feels good," Lynch said. "I didn't think I was going to make this all-star game and didn't get a lot of playing time.

"But I knew when I came back in I was going to try to make a difference to help my team."

The West had a chance to win it when King's John Kinser was called for a technical foul for hanging on the rim on a dunk attempt at the buzzer. But John Lullen couldn't capitalize and missed both free throws.

The teams went back and forth all game with neither seizing control. The largest lead of the game was eight.

Jefferson's James Jones led all scorers with 15 points. Lullen added 14, including four 3-pointers.

East Bay's Ruby Jean took home MVP honors after scoring all 10 of his points after the first half.

Leto's Patrick Boyle scored nine and was named MVP of the West team.

On the girls side, the West finally pulled away with a 48-41 victory over the East.

Just like the boys, the girls played close throughout.

The West used a balanced attack, getting scoring contributions from 12 players. The leading scorers were Alonso's Lisette Perez and Blake's Bernisha Wilson, each of whom had seven points.

Plant's Kiersten Hanna was named MVP. Her only points of the game came on a key 3-pointer late in the fourth quarter to clinch it for the West.

Riverview center Ashley Milan scored a game-high 11 points to capture MVP of her East team.

[Last modified March 10, 2007, 00:16:24]