East girls, West boys split East-West All-Star basketball games

The N.C. Coaches Association East-West All-Star basketball games delivered two dramatic finishes on Monday night at the Novant Health Field House in Greensboro.

The East girls watched a comfortable second-half lead shrink to a single possession before holding on for an 85-82 victory. In the boys game, the West pulled off a comeback, rallying from 26 points down to stun the East, 102-101.

East girls survive late West charge

For most of the middle two quarters, the East appeared to have control of the girls game.

After trailing 25-22 at the end of the first quarter, the East flipped the game with a dominant second quarter and took a 49-35 lead into halftime. The advantage eventually reached 20 points during the third quarter.

The West made things interesting late, limiting the East to just nine points in the fourth quarter and closing the gap to one possession, but the comeback ran out of time and fell short.

Ameya Brown (Terry Sanford) led the East with 17 points, while Brooke Evans (South Central) nearly recorded a double-double with nine points and 16 rebounds.

Claire Barber (Green Level) finished with 11 points, and Kira Jones (Rocky Mount) added 10 for an East team that overcame a lower shooting percentage by forcing 25 West turnovers.

Tiara Thompson (West Rowan) and Ma-Kaela Gidney (Hickory Ridge) scored 15 points apiece to lead the West. Khiara Culliver (Maiden) added 13 points, eight rebounds, and five blocked shots, while Morgan Odom (Southeast Guilford) finished with 10 points and seven rebounds.

The East's ability to create extra possessions proved critical. It scored 26 points off turnovers compared to 12 for the West and finished the night with only 11 turnovers of its own.

East: Ameya Brown (Terry Sanford) 17 points, Claire Barber (Green Level) 11 points, Kira Jones (Rocky Mount) 10 points, Brook Evans (South Central) 9 points, Azariah Brunson (E.E. Smith) 9 points, Tristan Shivers (Hoggard) 8 points, Charley Moore (Topsail) 8 points, Katherine Leonard (Seaforth) 7 points, Najiha Allen (Overhills) 5 points, Darla Lee (Corinth Holders) 1 point.

West: Ma-Kaela Gidney (Hickory Ridge) 15 points, Tiara Thompson (West Rowan) 15 points, Khiara Culliver (Maiden) 13 points, Morgan Odom (Southeast Guilford) 10 points, Samaria King (T.W. Andrews) 9 points, Laneigh Scales (Glenn) 6 points, Clara McCartha (McDowell) 5 points, Shaniya Paylor (Southeast Alamance) 4 points, Meredith Wike (Alexander Central) 4 points, Kalin Favreau (Oak Grove) 1 point.

West boys complete stunning comeback

The boys game followed an entirely different script.

The East caught fire in the second quarter, scoring 43 points in the period to take a commanding 63-44 halftime lead. The margin grew to 26 points early in the second half, putting the East in position to potentially run away with the game.

Instead, the West mounted a remarkable response.

The West scored 29 points in the third quarter and another 29 in the fourth quarter, gradually erasing the deficit before completing the comeback with a 102-101 victory.

Braylon Taylor (Salisbury) powered the West with a game-high 28 points. ExZavier Young (North Mecklenburg) contributed 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Colby Elliott (Williams) scored 14.

Dionte Neal (Reidsville) and Josiah Guyton (Lincolnton) each added 12 points for the West, which used second-chance opportunities and strong free-throw shooting to aid its rally.

Shimere Garris (Washington) led the East with 24 points, while Will Seward (Hoggard) recorded 22 points and 10 rebounds. Cam Fowler (Northwood) added 15 points, seven rebounds, and four assists, and Jamie Dance (Currituck County) scored 11 points.

The East shot 47.1% from the field and controlled much of the game, but the West grabbed 16 offensive rebounds and converted 16-of-18 free throws to help fuel its comeback.

West: Braylon Taylor (Salisbury) 28 points, ExZavier Young (North Mecklenburg) 16 points, Colby Elliott (Williams) 14 points, Dionte Neal (Reidsville) 12 points, Josiah Guyton (Lincolnton) 12 points, Jack Siegel (Charlotte Catholic) 9 points, Jamell Reid (Jay M. Robinson) 4 points, Bryan Little (Piedmont) 4 points, Josiah Hill (High Point Central) 2 points, Jace Blocker (Hickory) 1 point.

East: Shimere Garris (Washington) 24 points, Will Seward (Hoggard) 22 points, Cam Fowler (Northwood) 15 points, Jamie Dance (Currituck County) 11 points, Chaise Smith (Washington) 8 points, Aden Jeffries (Southern Durham) 8 points, Chad Graves (Northwood) 6 points, Nicolas Farrow (Lee County) 5 points, Jackson Pait (West Bladen) 2 points, Landon Henke (Apex Friendship) 0 points.

Coaches lead East-West squads

The 2026 East-West All-Star basketball team were coached by eight high school coaches from across North Carolina.

In the girls game, the East was coached by Serena Smith (Whiteville) and Brian Graham (Cape Fear). Brett Lamb (Highlands) and John Shearin (T.W. Andrews) guided the West.

For the boys, Matt Brown (Northwood) and Greg Motley (Southern Durham) coached the East, while Joe Spinks (Eastern Guilford) and Lavar Batts (Jay M. Robinson) led the West.