By LAMAR GAFFORD
Bridging the gap between high school and college basketball can be a challenging one, but taking part in an all-star game with the state’s top players can make it easier.
The stars once again aligned inside Louisiana Christian University’s H.O. West Fieldhouse Saturday for the LHSCA/LHSBCA All-Star Game.
“It was an honor to play in it,” Oak Hill forward Alexis Dyer said. “Last year when Coach [Kaci] West was talking about it, she was like, ‘You have to be on this team one day.’ So, that was one of my personal goals.”
Dyer was part of a victorious West team that started a backcourt of the state’s two top guards and Division I signees in Lafayette Christian’s Jada Richard (LSU) and Parkway’s Chloe Larry (Tennessee Tech). With the star power clearly on their side the Western All-Stars won 90-59.
Even though Dyer was held scoreless, the Oak Hill star got the opportunity to play with her future LSU Alexandria teammates Reese Stephens and Kelly Norris, both of whom won state titles like Dyer.
“I only got to see them on the court before this game, but I got to know them a little bit and their personalities,” Dyer said. “That was really fun. Being able to play with them, you can see how we all play very similar. We have a lot in common, so that’s going to be exciting as well.”
It was also one final time to play with her head coach, Kaci West, who helped her become a 3,000-point scorer and a champion. West was coaching in her first All-Star game as an assistant to LaGrange’s LaKeem Holmes.
“That’s what made this game really special for me,” Dyer said. “For my last official high school game, to have my coach there with me. That was a really special moment overall.”
Playing behind Richard and Larry was Northwood guard Rhianna Battles, who closed her career as the fourth Rapides girls basketball player to play in four straight championship games. Battles scored six points for the West.
In the boys game, the West came out victorious with a 90-84 win over the East as Peabody coach Charles Smith (East coordinator) and retiring Northwood coach Alan Tinsley (West assistant) were on opposite sidelines for one final time in their head-to-head rivalry.
There was also a lot of Rapides Parish representation playing in the game as Pineville center Javonte Thomas played for the West and Peabody big men Jordan Mathews and Justin Burns suited for the East.
Mathews scored six points and Burns added five points with both players doing their scoring in the first half. Thomas got on the stat sheet with a few rebounds and was honored to play with the state’s best.
“This was a very fun experience,” Thomas said. “I was feeling kind of good today, so I said that I might as well try to dunk and if I miss it, then hey. But I tried to get up there.”
Also suiting for the East was St. Mary’s sharpshooter and Menard transfer Ayden Warren, who scored five points.
“It was great being around a bunch of competition like this,” Warren said. “It’s going to prepare me well for college as these guys all have offers somewhere.”
Warren, who transferred to the Tigers before his junior year, closed out his high school career helping lead them to the Division IV select quarterfinals the last two years and earning District 3-1A MVP honors as a senior.
Warren will have a big decision to make soon as he plans to commit and sign to a college in April.
Currently, East Texas Baptist and NSU appear to be in the lead for Warren’s services. Junior college Angelina College and the NAIA’s Southwestern Assemblies of God also have shown interest in Warren.
“I just want to go somewhere where I’m wanted and can play and develop the most,” Warren said. “These are all good options and I feel like I can’t go wrong anywhere I go.”