Andrews – The fourth annual West vs Midwest 1A All-Star Basketball games awarded six scholarships to three girl basketball players and three boy basketball players. The banquet was an exciting affair with the Andrews High School Band playing music; the former Clemson Girls Head Coach and Women’s National Basketball Association coach (Minnesota Lynx) Jim Davis challenging young athletes to succeed in life; and a delicious meal enjoyed by at least 300 persons. Mr. Lance Bristol, Athletic Director, Andrews High School, was the host leader and organizer. The six All-Stars winning the scholarships were Jesse Robert Pitman (Mitchell High School); Brayden Hunter West (Nantahala High School); Trystan Jenkins (Mitchell High School); Bethany Hope Ward (Nantahala); Anna Ramsey (Bessemer City); and Kenzie Gunter (Andrews).
The girls’ game was exciting and competitive with the Midwest winning 58 to 50. The scoring leaders for the West team were Alissa Smith (Swain County High School) with 12 points; Kenzie Gunter (Andrews High School) and Hope Ward (Nantahala High School) each with 10 points. The Midwest leading scorer was Zoe Cloer (Mitchell High School) with a game-high 16 points. No other Midwest girl player scored in the double figures; however, there were eight girls scoring in single digits. Zoe Cloer (Mitchell High School) was selected as the Most Valuable Player. The win for the Midwest team evens the series with the West winning the first two have handily and the Midwest winning the past two games.
The boys’ game had extraordinary excitement. First the game was close until about the 14 minute mark of the 20-minute second half until the West extended their lead to 15 points. The West was led by Most Valuable Player selection Jehlon Johnson (Lincoln Charter High School) with 16 points. Other players in double digits included Kendrick Davis (13 points), Zeke Mayfield (11 points), London England (10 points, and Jesse Pitman (10points). Every player on the West team scored during the shortened game. Thus, the extraordinary excitement came with about seven minutes remaining in the game when a tornado warning was given over the public address system. All people filed into safe area in the Andrews High School and the Andrews Middle School. The warning was extended for some time and the host official felt best that the game be ended based on the report of the Cherokee County Emergency Management.
2018 West Boys All-Stars
CJ Anderson – Hiwassee Dam
Matt Barton – Andrews
Curt Brown – Murphy
Will Hooper – Robbinsville
Hagan Newton – Murphy
Seth Parker – Swain
Dillan Phillips – Andrews
Tucker Price – Robbinsville
Demetrius Schmitt – Highlands
Danny Tucker – Hiwassee Dam
Elijah Wachacha – Robbinsville
Brayden West – Nantahala
Dalton Whitaker – Hayesville
Head Coach – Josh Taylor – Nantahala
Asst Coach – Warren Knott – Robbinsville
2018 Midwest Boys All-Stars
Kendrick Davis – Lincoln Charter
London England – Lincoln Charter
Clint Gantt – Cherryville
Jacob Hardin – Cherryville
Trystan Jenkins – Mitchell
Jehlon Johnson – Lincoln Charter
Michael Lamar – Bessemer City
Zeke Mayfield – Lincoln Charter
Jesse Pitman – Mitchell
Jay Sadler – Bessemer City
Christian Walker – Piedmont Charter
Head Coach: Brad Gabriel – Lincoln Charter High School
Asst. Coach: Chad Dellinger – Mitchell High School
Asst. Coach: Scott Harrill – Cherryville High School
2018 Midwest Girl All-Stars
Marlee Austin – Avery County
Zoe Cloer – Mitchell
Demoniya Cole – Piedmont Charter
Emma Duncan – Mitchell
Destiny Franklin – Thomas Jefferson
Dynasty Franklin – Thomas Jefferson
Kathryn Hall – Mitchell
Skyler Miller – Cherryville
Eden Phillips – Mitchell
Anna Ramsey – Bessemer City
Judah Tucker – Highland Tech
Courtney Williams – Piedmont Charter
Cydney Williams – Piedmont Charter
Head Coach: Zack McCartha – Mitchell High School
Asst. Coach: Matthew Wiseman – Avery County
Asst. Coach: David Williams – Piedmont Charter
2018 West Girl All Stars
Kenzie Gunter – Andrews
Haylie Thompson – Murphy
Jacey Underwood – Robbinsville
Grace Cabe – Swain
Alissa Smith – Swain
Alexis Finlay – Hiwassee Dam
Hope Ward – Nantahala
Brittin Johnson – Murphy
Cheyanne Rattler – Andrews
Head Coach: Georgie Kerber – Andrews
Asst Coach: Eric Young – Andrews