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GREENSBORO — Though it had its chances, the West failed to take the lead at any point during the 60th Annual East-West All-Star Game, eventually losing to the East 99-93. Their all-time series is now tied 30-30.

Bo Ingram from Kinston finished with 24 points, and was named the game's MVP. Ingram also won the MVP award in the Carolina's All-Star Classic back on April 5.

"I felt confident because I've been in those situations before and I know what I have to do — step up and hit some shots," Ingram said.

The East took the lead from the opening tip, and never gave it up. Though the West had a number of opportunities, it was never able to get over the hump.

However, Marcus Wright from Winston-Salem Prep capped a 7-0 run with a 3-pointer to cut the lead to two with 3:15 left in the game. Both squads traded baskets and free throws for the next three minutes, setting up a dramatic finish. With 20 seconds remaining, Glenn's Kendall Smith missed a wide open 3-pointer from the left wing that would have given the West its first and only lead of the game. After Smith's miss, the East capitalized with free throws to ice the game.

"That felt like a perfect shot coming off my hands, and it just rimmed out," said Smith, who made the All-Area first team. He plans to attend N.C. State in the fall on a full academic scholarship. "It was still a great experience. We just didn't come out on top."

The East won the game by pushing the ball at every chance, turning most of its possessions into fast breaks. The East also got into the lane at will, scoring in the paint repeatedly.

The West, on the other hand, committed 27 turnovers and had trouble scoring in the paint. Ty Walker, the 7-foot-1 center from New Hanover, made it difficult for the West to maintain much of an offensive rhythm. Walker finished the game with five blocks in 24 minutes of play.

"Defensively, I think I did OK," Walker said. "As long as we won, I don't care."

The West stayed in the game, thanks in large part to 3-point shooting. Wright shot 5-for-7 from downtown, including a number of baskets that got the West within close distance. Starmount's Victor Davila led the team in scoring with 24 points.

The East controlled the pace of the game for much of the first half, taking the lead early on and never giving it up. They were led by Ingram, who had 10 points at halftime.

However, the West chipped away at the lead little by little, thanks in part to the hot 3-point shooting of Marcus Wright. He hit three 3-pointers in the first half, and went into halftime with 11 points.

Contact Joel Brown at 373-7091 or joel.brown@news-record.com

East -- Ingram 24, Watts 14, McCarter 13, Walker 12, Barrett 11, Bonner 11, Monger 2, McClintock 2.

West -- Davila 24, Wright 17, VanLandingham 13, Johnson 11, Pagan 7, Stith 6, Vanderford 5, Lovelace 5, Smith 4, Hausley 1.