WEST PLAINS, Mo. – Area basketball fans took one last look at some of their favorite senior high school players Saturday afternoon, April 4, at the Grizzly All-Star Classic at the West Plains Civic Center arena.
Hosted by the Missouri State University-West Plains Grizzly Basketball program, the annual event gives these student athletes an opportunity to display their skills on the court one more time.
“This was probably the best crowd we’ve had for the Grizzly All-Star Classic,” said Grizzly Basketball Head Coach Yancey Walker. “It was great to see some former participants back to watch this year’s games, as well. I want to thank each player and coach for making this a great year for the Grizzly All-Star Classic. I also want to thank Ozarks Sports Zone in Springfield for covering the games.”
In the girls game, the Dark Team held off a 21-point second-half charge by the Light Team to win 78-72. Scoring for the Dark Team, coached by Gainesville High School’s Jack Harris, were Hannah Masters, Dora, 15 points; Jerrica Horn, Hartville, and Bailie Osborne, Licking, both with 12; Kelsey Caldwell, Mtn. View-Birch Tree Liberty, 11; Celsie Benson, Alton, 10; Kelsi Land, Dora, 6; and Tali Rose, Gainesville, Jenna Woodside, Alton, and Lexie Waggoner, Koshkonong, each with 4. Larissa Britt, Bakersfield, and Madison Crain, Norwood, also were members of the team.
Scoring for the girls Light Team, coached by Kristi Chester of Thayer High School, were Jordan Alford, Thayer, 18 points; Lexi McNeil, Plato, 12; Shelby Cooper, Alton, 10; Cassidy Johnson, West Plains, 9; Sarah Gray, Cabool, 6; Sam James, Couch, and Holly Grimes, Thayer, each with 5; Kensey Hunt, Couch, 4; and Britney Mathis, Bunker, 3. Kylee Elmore, Houston, and Brittany Whetstine, Cabool, also were members of the team.
In the boys game, the Dark Team built up a 51-35 first half lead and never looked back, taking the contest 111-72. Scoring for the Dark Team, coached by Brett Reed of Hartville High School, were Lane Duncan, Licking, 24 points; Preston Groesbeck, Mtn. Home, Arkansas, 13; Chris Bock, Cabool, 11; Carter Wands, Rolla, Richie Wilson, Hartville, and Jacob Caruso, Mansfield, each with 10; Jansen Acklin, Mtn. View-Birch Tree Liberty, 8; Luke Daniels, Mtn. View-Birch Tree Liberty, 7; Brice Cramer, Norwood, 6; and Jamison VerPloeg, Hartville, Nathan Thorton, Willow Springs, and Caleb Copeland, Rolla, each with 4. Bryan Porter, Mtn. View-Birch Tree Liberty; and Gus Hawkins, Summersville, also were members of the team.
Scoring for the Light Team, coached by Steve Voyles of Winona High School, were Treyson Hambelton, Dora, 15 points; Thomas Ritter, Gainesville, 13; Roger Porter, Eminence, 10; Cameron Matteson, Eminence, 8; Justin Davis, West Plains, 5; Jacob Smith, Winona, 4; Zach Flippin, West Plains, Kraig Foster, Bakersfield, Logan Pogue, Salem, Missouri, and Wyatt Penly, Plato, each with 3; Cody Neal, Gainesville, and Levi Schmidt, Alton, each with 2; and Keagan Adams, Plato, 1. Zach Smith, Winona, and Brady Jenkins, Gainesville, also were members of the team.
Hannah Masters of Dora and Lane Duncan of Licking were named MVPs of their respective games.
The event also included a slam dunk contest for the boys and a 3-point shooting contest for both boys and girls. Cassidy Johnson, West Plains, and Preston Groesbeck, Mtn. Home, Arkansas, took home the 3-point shooting contest trophies, and Jacob Smith, Winona, won the slam dunk contest. Walker offered his congratulations to each for their respective individual honors.
Walker said organizers of the all-star games would like to thank the sponsors from each of the players’ communities that supported their respective players, as well as the event’s corporate sponsors, The Shoe Factory Lofts, Colton’s Steak House and Grill, Screen Shots Printing and Design, and the West Plains Civic Center.
“This was a great event, but it is greater because of our sponsors,” Walker said.