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When North and South come together

All-Star games bring fun to players and fans alike

By DONN ADAMSON
Daily Journal Sports Editor

Monday, March 24, 2008

Roy Henson was honored by the Daily Journal between games at Saturday night's Daily Journal/MAAA All-Star Games held at Mineral Area College with a plaque for his outstanding contribution of music for the past years at the games as well as for the college basketball games. Upon receiving the award, Henson received a standing ovation from the 500 plus crowd. - Lisa Malone / Daily Journal

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PARK HILLS — Saturday night’s Daily Journal/MAAA All-Star Games provided fun and entertainment for all who attended at the Bob Sechrest, Sr. Fieldhouse at Mineral Area College.

Thirty-eight of the most talented seniors in the 12-school MAAA Conference participated in the games and did not disappoint the 500 fans who attended.

The conference was divided into six North schools and six South schools with the senior players, who were voted on by the area media, playing for the respective boys or girls teams. All 12 schools were represented.

The South teams won both contests with the girls scoring 90 points and the boys scoring 101 (see full game results in today’s sports section). A total of 29 three-pointers were made in the two games as players lit it up on both ends of the court. Jake Coleman of Potosi supplied the crowd with special excitement when he made a slam dunk late in the boys game.

Fans and players alike enjoyed the less competitive atmosphere of the games. Cheering occurred not only for the individual player by the fans who came to watch that player especially, but cheers and applause greeted most good plays.

Few fouls were made which made the job of referees Jason Smith, Scott Ragland, Paul Fitzwater, Rick Bowen and Don Thompson easier.

The referees were often seen smiling as they joked with players and coaches alike, and they were also treated very well by the fans.

There were special highlights even when the game was not going.

Colleen Moore of the Route 67 band and Plummer Family Country Music Show gave a great rendition of the National Anthem to start off the games.

Daily Journal sportswriter Matt King handled the P.A. duties for the games, with reporter Chris Cline keeping the scorebook and Jeff Lawson of Farmington taking care of the clock.

Special Hoop Shoot contests were held at half-times with one participant winning a free six-inch combo meal and three cookies from MAC’s Subway, and the other wining $60 of gift certificates from Mega Sports in Farmington.

Between games, Roy Henson of Mineral Area College was honored with a plaque from the Daily Journal in appreciation for providing music for several years of the All-Star games as well as for Mineral Area College’s basketball games.

The highlight of ‘the breaks in the game’ came during the boys’ halftime when the West County Elementary School Jump Rope Team provided the entertainment. The team is directed by West County teacher Jane Schmidt.

The games were held to honor the players for their past year(s) of playing basketball for their school. At the conclusion of each game the players were awarded medals for playing in the All-Star games as well as for their past season of playing basketball, and they were also allowed to keep their jerseys which had their names printed on the back. The eight coaches were awarded a special desk clock for their participation.