WEST PLAINS, Mo. – Area basketball fans took one last look at some of their favorite senior high school players Saturday afternoon, March 26, at the Grizzly All-Star Classic in 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 year, we had two close games,” said Grizzly Basketball Head Coach Yancey Walker. “The girls Dark Team got down by 20 but kept fighting and came back to tie the game at 74 with under two minutes to play. It was very exciting. The boys game also featured a furious comeback by the Light Team, but they fell a little short, as well.”

In the girls game, the Light Team, coached by Brent Kell of Houston, held off the Dark Team for a 79-75 victory.  Scoring for the Light Team were Ashlyn Hufstedler, Thayer, 21 points; Ali Sparks, Fordland, 19; Shyanne Rigel, Koshkonong, 12; Haley Kernodle, Alton, 9; Beth Sherbo, Willow Springs, 7; and Kaley Kepplinger, Alton, 2. Scoring for the Dark Team, coached by Shannon Crain of Norwood, were Jacey Swofford, Ava, 26 points; Leila Tefft, Bakersfield, 16; Chelsea Holesapple, Koshkonong, 13; Cherokee McGraw, Norwood, 11; Morgan Price, Mansfield, 8; and Destiny Johnson, Bakersfield, 1.

“I was both appreciative and impressed with both girls teams. We had some injuries and some scheduling conflicts, so our numbers were down a little this year,” Walker said.

In the boys game, the Dark Team, coached by Rod Gorman of Logan-Rogersville, downed the Light Team, coached by Mike Mallow of Willow Springs, 96-91. Scoring for the Dark Team were Christian Brown, Logan-Rogersville, 27 points; DJ McNew, Mountain Grove, 14; Kobe Mead, Salem, 12; Matthew Shrontz, Van Buren, 12; Wyatt Summers, Bakersfield, 8; Landen Bailey, Mammoth Spring, Arkansas, 7; Marcus Gorman, Logan-Rogersville, 5; Noah Shrable, Bakersfield, 5; Cortland Yates, Seymour, 3; Max Malone, Norwood, 2; and Weston Chadwell, Norwood, 1. Zack Griffin of Van Buren also was a member of the team.

Scoring for the Light Team were Ayden Henry, Thayer, 22 points; Grant Dedmon, Hartville, 13; Tanner Barnes, Cabool, 10; Will Tillman, Thayer, 10; Duncan Green, Cabool, 9; Dalton Voyles, Winona, 6; Ryan Ward, Hartville, 5; Corbin Dewick, Mtn. View-Birch Tree Liberty, 5; Tre Thomasson, Winona, 4; Justin Campbell, Mansfield, 4; and Christian Robbins, West Plains, 3. Briar Dodson of Eminence also was a member of the team.

“I told the boys’ teams this would be the last time they would wear their high school jerseys so make it count, and they did,” Walker said. “I thought the effort in their game and the girls’ game was as good as we’ve had for a few years.”

Ali Sparks of Fordland and Christian Brown of Logan-Rogersville 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.  Sparks and Ryan Ward, Hartville, took home the 3-point shooting contest trophies, and Wyatt Summers, Bakersfield, 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, Austin Pekarek Photography and the West Plains Civic Center.

“We couldn’t put this event on each year without the sponsors. Our players appreciate it and we appreciate it,” Walker said.

Action shots of the games were taken by Austin Pekarek Photography. To view them, visit http://austinpekarekphotography1.shootproof.com/gallery/2542091. DVDs of the game can be purchased by calling the Grizzly Basketball office at 417-255-7991.