Associated Press: Simmons Named MVP in East Victory
The East squad was simply too big, strong, and talented for an undersized West team as they coasted to an 85-74 victory in the East-West All-Star Game at the Greensboro Coliseum.
NC State signee Cedric Simmons led the way with 10 points, 5 rebounds and 2 blocks while Clemson signee James Mays added 11 points and 11 rebounds.
The East also received strong inside play from reserve post player Kentwan Balmer, a UNC football signee who finished with 9 points on the night.
It was a solid night for Simmons, a player considered by most to be the top prospect in North Carolina. However, even he was surprised when he was named MVP.
"It surprised me," Cedric told the News and Record following the game. "I'll take it, but I thought Josh Haymond or Kentwan Balmer deserved it more."
Now with his high school career offically over, the former West Brunswick standout heads back to Raleigh where he has already enrolled and is preparing for his freshman season with the Wolfpack.
WEST ALL-STARS -- Thompson 1-5 1-2 3, Fulp 2-5 3-6 7, Giddings 3-11 5-6 12, Gaynor 2-7 0-1 4, Moore 2-8 1-3 6, King 4-8 0-0 10, Brice 3-7 5-5 11, Siddle 3-9 2-7 9, Robinson 2-6 1-4 6, Miller 3-8 0-0 6. Totals 25-74 18-34 74.
EAST ALL-STARS -- Woodard 3-5 0-2 6, Mays 5-9 1-1 11, Simmons 4-10 2-4 10, Shuler 0-6 3-4 3, Montgomery 2-5 4-4 9, Brown 3-11 2-2 9, Elliott 3-8 4-6 10, Haymond 5-12 2-2 13, Collins 1-1 3-5 5, Balmer 3-5 3-5 9. Totals 29-72 24-35 85.
Halftime -- East 38-32. 3-point field goals -- West 6-28 (Thompson 0-1, Giddings 1-5, Gaynor 0-3, Moore 1-3, King 2-6, Brice 0-1, Siddle 1-6, Robinson 1-3); East 3-14 (Woodard 0-1, Shuler 0-2, Montgomery 1-3, Brown 1-4, Haymond 1-4). Rebounds -- West 44 (Robinson 11); East 57 (Mays 11). Assists -- West 10 (Gaynor 4); East 16 (Elliott 5). Turnovers -- West 21, East 27. Total fouls -- West 25, East 21. A -- 2,916.
Photo Courtesy of Thomas Babb