By Jason Goorman
LocalSportsJournal.com
MUSKEGON – Muskegon Community College hosted the 33rd annual West Michigan Basketball All-Star Classic on Wednesday.
The top senior hoop stars from area boys and girls high school basketball teams showed off their skills for a large and appreciative crowd.
Joeviair Kennedy goes in for the dunk. Photo/Jason Goorman
The boys game was a Big Red highlight reel as Muskegon standouts Joeviair Kennedy and Deyonta Davis led the Blue team to a 112-88 win over the White team.
Kennedy scored 24 points while Davis added 23 points. Both had many impressive dunks in the fast-paced contest. Muskegon’s Ja’Marie Collins scored 16 points and Daryl Kirkland added 12.
Kent City’s Nick Alt drained four 3-pointers to lead the White team with 18 points while Shelby’s Caleb Anderson scored 17. Muskegon Heights point guard Tony Jones scored 13 points, Adam Abraham (Grand Haven) had 12 points and Sean Kelley (Mason County Central) chipped in 11.
In the girls game, Fruitport Calvary Christian’s Taylor Richards pumped in 29 points to lead the Blue team to an 80-78 victory over the White team.
Camaryia Williams (Reeths-Puffer) chipped in 15 points for the winning team while Shawnteanna Dame (Muskegon) and Bailey Freeland (Kent City) each scored 10.
Kalli Wahr brings the ball up the floor in transition as team blue’s Taylor Richards tries to get back on defense. Photo/Jason Goorman
Grand Haven standout Amanda Merz paced the White team with 21 points, Jayshonna Blackshire (Orchard View) added 18 points and Kalli Wahr (Ludington) scored 16.
The girls game carried a little more meaning for Fruitport Calvary Coach Brad Richards, Taylor’s father. He coached his daughter for the last time following her exceptional four-year prep career, in which she scored more than 2,500 points.
“Just kind of a fun night,” Brad Richards said. “It was really special coaching with my daughter here.”
“We’ve had five special years together on varsity and I’ve been coaching her since second grade down at the YMCA. I guess this will be the last time, you know, to sit on the sideline, while she plays. It’s pretty special to be able to do that.”
The elder Richards is a Western Michigan Christian grad and played in boys All-Star game back in 1988.
Deyonta Davis slams home the rebound. Photo/Jason Goorman
“You’re out here to honor kids who have gotten through four years of high school and in addition to that, have been outstanding athletes at their schools,” Brad Richards said. “In the West Michigan area we have a lot of great players, both boys and girls. It’s been an event going back years and years.”
Muskegon Community College mens basketball coach Dave Schlump, who was on hand as a host and spectator, saw the games as a community event for area basketball fans to enjoy.
“It’s a great thing for the community and the college. Believe it or not, there were people here who this was their first basketball game they’ve been to here,” said Schlump, who completed his sixth season coaching at MCC over the winter.
“It was great to see the mix of kids and parents here and it’s great basketball. Nearly everyone of these kids will go on to play college basketball.”
Three players from the boys game are attending MCC to play for Schlump next year – Muskegon grads Blake Andrews and Collins and Kent City’s Alt.
