By Kevin Eckleberry

Sports Editor

The first West Georgia All-Star High School Classic was a hit.

A nice crowd turned out at La-Grange High Saturday evening to watch prep standouts from across the area play in two all-star games while competing in 3-point contests and a dunk contest.

“I was real impressed with the turnout for the first game,” said event organizer Mitchell Hill, the assistant director of the Griggs Recreation Center.

Hill said his favorite part of the evening was watching local rival players wear the same uniform.

“I thought that was one of the biggest things I saw was the camraderie between the kids at the schools,” Hill said. “They were rooting for one another. That was more pleasant than anything/”

Local players swept the 3-point contests, and LaGrange High’s Deuntae Terry was second in the slam-dunk competition.

LaGrange Academy’s Hunter Jones knocked down four 3-pointers in the first round, and he made seven in the finals to win the contest.

LaGrange High’s Ebonie Bruce made five in the first round and more more in the second to take the top spot.

The girls’ game was won by the West squad, which was made up of players from Lafayette (Ala.), Lanett (Ala.) and Harris County.

The losing East team included players from LaGrange and Callaway.

Carla Winston from Gardner-Newman Middle School coached the East team.

The boys’ game was won by the East team, which consisted of players from Troup County, Meriwether County and Heard County.

LaGrange High, Troup and Callaway were each represented.

The boys’ West team was composed of players from the Alabama schools, Harris County, LaGrange Academy and Dawson Street Christian.

The West team was coached by LaGrange Academy’s Matt Dalrymple, who got to coach Hunter Jones and Bo Heath one more time.

“We had a great time,” Dalrymple said. “We practiced twice, and I had a blast with the boys. They were fun to be around. It was relaxing and fun at the same time.”