Hillsborough hoops: East All-Stars claim two matchups

The county's top boys and girls players shine during the annual event.

By Peter Pupello, Times Correspondent
Published March 8, 2008

TAMPA - Hillsborough County's best players treated the 23rd annual Wilkes & McHugh United Negro College Fund All-Star Basketball Game Classic on Friday night as if it were the state championship - even if only bragging rights were on the line.

The boys East All-Stars enjoyed a comfortable lead throughout most of the game, but the West All-Stars made sure their opponents earned the victory.

West All-Stars MVP Wesley Lewis led all scorers with 15 points, but Channing Woodall's 13 points propelled the East to a 60-57 win that was all but easy.

"I enjoy the opportunity of playing in one more game at the end of the season," said Woodall, the East All-Stars' MVP. "I like to see all the hard work throughout the season pay off."

The West battled back midway through the second half after being down by 13 as Mike Plummer hit two consecutive 3-pointers to give his team its first lead since early in the first half.

That lead was still intact with 19 seconds left until John Wood put back a missed shot to help the East go up by a point.

The West's hopes fell short on the ensuing possession as Derick Beltram converted a steal off the inbound pass into a three-point victory at the buzzer.

Meanwhile, the girls East All-Stars earned a win, defeating the West 35-27.

East All-Stars MVP Charlet Davis led her team in scoring with 10 points, while West All-Stars MVP Sierra Crawley finished with 7 points. The West led through the first 18 minutes of the first period, but the East went into halftime with a three-point lead and momentum that eventually gave it the win.

[Last modified March 8, 2008, 00:08:04]