North Georgia All-Star Classic organizers excited about future, event

Adrian Penland wishes the third North Georgia All-Star Classic was scheduled for this week.

As it he’ll have to wait almost a year for another installment of the season-ending high school basketball showcase. But Penland, one of the event’s organizers, can rest easy that the second All-Star Classic surpassed the inaugural event in 2012.

“It was great; we had a wonderful crowd; the kids loved it; the coaches loved it, and it gave us a great opportunity to show off high school basketball in north Georgia,” Penland said. “I wish we had had one of these when I was in high school.”

The event, which featured senior boys and girls standouts from programs throughout the northeast Georgia area, gave players one last chance to enjoy themselves on a high school stage as well as giving collegiate coaches an opportunity to see the level of talent on display on the court at Gainesville High.

“We had 13 different coaches here for the event, and they all raved about it,” Penland said. “Next year we hope to have 30 or more coaches here. Colleges know all about the Gwinnett County area and further south, but this shows what kind of player we have around here, and gives them a chance to be seen.”

A number of the standouts who participated in the second All-Star festivities have already sewn up their collegiate futures, but plenty more would love to have a chance at the next level, and event organizers hope that they can give those players a boost in their quest to continue playing at the next level.

This year’s game also added events such as a 3-point shooting contest and dunk contest, and organizers hope to add to the event in the coming years.

“We’re so glad to be able to bring this game to our area, and we can’t wait to do it again,” Penland said.

2013 North Georgia All-Star Game Participants:

GIRLS
Tavia Sykes- Flowery Branch
Marissa Ivey- Flowery Branch
Jacy Ramey- Flowery Branch
Latisha Shelton - East Hall
Taylor Handte - Lakeview
Kaelyn Gattis - West Hall
Taylor Phillips - North Hall
Samantha Brown - Chestatee
Maegan Kenimer - Chestatee
Erin Clifford - Chestatee
Angel Mickel - Gainesville
Darian Newman - Rabun County
Carly Gilreath - Dawson County
Victoria Fontana - Jackson County
Carly Sales - Habersham Central
Cyairra Hill - Elbert County
Elise Coberly - Madison County
Nekeia Brown - Madison County
Charity Major - Stephens County
Morgan Wood - Lumpkin County
Riley Slayton - White County
Gabby Bevillard - Habersham Central

Coaches: Web Daniel, Steve Sweat

BOYS
Rand Roland - White County
Tyler Dominey - Dawson County
Will Anglin - Dawson County
Degarrious Smith - Monroe Area
Cameron Blakley - Apalachee
Kamichi Fleming - Stephens County
Amir Arabria - North Oconee
Zay Hester - Winder-Barrow
Geronimo Cruz - South Forsyth
Trae Gaines - Hart County
Dontai Robinson - Cedar Shoals
Ebo Smith - North Hall
Montrell Mckenzie - Johnson
Tyswon Cantrell - West Hall
Jamaad Stephens - Flowery Branch
Austin Montgomery - Lakeview
Keelan Passmore - Chestatee
Brain Edwards - East Hall
Hayden Chapman - East Hall
Shaquan Cantrell - Gainesville
Jkeese Ruff - Gainesville
Chase England - Gainesville

Coaches: Thad Burgess, Benjie Wood