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Southeast Guilford star leaps at All-Star invite

Monday, July 20, 2009

(Updated 10:26 am)

By Tom Keller
Staff Writer

GREENSBORO — It didn't take long for former Southeast Guilford basketball star Paris Alston to accept a late invitation to tonight's N.C. Coaches Association East-West All-Star Game at the Greensboro Coliseum.

"Her next question was, can I come to the gym tomorrow and work out?" Southeast head coach Shawyn Newton said.

Alston, a first team All-Area selection, earned an invite on Tuesday when Celeste Stewart of Matthews Butler dropped out.

She'll be accompanied on the West squad by several other local standouts, including Reidsville forward Eleisha Hairston, East Davidson forward Anna Freeman and Dudley point guard Helen Terry. They'll be coached by Gastonia Forestview's Ken Beaty, whose team Terry helped beat in the 3-A state championship game.

Their 6:30 p.m. tipoff will be immediately followed by the boys All-Star game, which will feature Page's Julius Brooks and Trinity's Josh Pittman.

The West won the girls game 78-73 last year behind an MVP performance from Grimsley's Trumae Lucas, who's now at Florida.

Alston, who will play at South Carolina State this fall, has been working out at her alma mater four days a week this summer with Falcons assistant coach Chris Huntley and teammate LaDonna Smith, who will play for Louisburg College. Newton said the 6-foot-1 Alston, who passed the 1,000-point mark in her final high school game, projects as a small forward in college.

Alston helped keep the Falcons together this season when point guard Amy Beasley went down with a broken wrist. Alston averaged 16.1 points, 11.3 rebounds, 2.7 steals and 2.6 assists per game.

She had no clue she might be in line for an All-Star invite, so this week has been spent letting people know they can come watch her one last time. Her high school coach will definitely be there.

"I usually go every year," Newton said, "but now I guess I'll get to sit a little closer."

Contact Tom Keller at 373-7034 or tom.keller@news-record.com

EAST-WEST SCHEDULE

TODAY: BASKETBALL
When: Girls, 6:30 p.m.; boys, 8:30 p.m.
Where: Greensboro Coliseum
Tickets: $10 adults, $5 students ($5 parking)

TUESDAY: SOCCER
When: Girls, 6:30 p.m.; boys, 8:30 p.m.
Where: UNCG Soccer Stadium
Tickets: $10 adults, $5 students

WEDNESDAY: FOOTBALL
When: 8 p.m.
Where: Jamieson Stadium, Grimsley HS
Tickets: $10 adults, $5 students (parking is free, but donations will be accepted for the Oasis Shriners)

EAST-WEST ROSTERS

Listed by player's name, position, height and high school:

EAST GIRLS
Sasha Millington, G, 5-4, Clinton
Joan Shontel Mallory, G, 5-6, Weldon
Amber Calvin, G, 5-7, Hope Mills South View
LaKevia Boykin, G, 5-9, Southeast Raleigh
Sarah Wollett, G, 5-10, Raleigh Wakefield
Tierra Coleman, C, 6-1, Western Harnett
Alyssa Luebs, F, 6-0, Havelock
Kelsey Evans, F, 6-2, Raleigh Wakefield
Jazmine Cooper, F, 6-0, Fayetteville South View
Asia Williams, G, Durham Hillside

Head Coach: Jamie Willoughby, Tarboro
Assistant Coach: Lewis Cummings, Western Harnett

WEST GIRLS
Helen Terry, G, 5-2, Dudley
Ali Ford, G, 5-4, Morganton Freedom
Eleisha Hairston, 5-11, Reidsville
Shay Jones, G, 5-4, Mount Tabor
Paris Alston, G/F, 6-1, Southeast Guilford
Anna Freeman, C, 6-0, East Davidson
Jaquaria Forney, G/F, 5-9, Matthews Butler
Christal Caldwell, G/F, 5-9, West Charlotte
Keyrra Gillespie, G, 5-5, Statesville
Jazmin Cromartie, 6-0, Parkland

Head Coach: Ken Beaty, Gastonia Forestview
Assistant Coach: Jerry Murray, Valdese Draughn

EAST BOYS
Marcellous Perez, G, 5-10, Jacksonville Northside
Zach Faircloth, G, 6-2, Fayetteville Terry Sanford
Ricky Krainiak, G, 6-1, Camden County
Harrison George, C, 6-5, Raleigh Leesville Road
Jaron Lane, F, 6-5, Greenville Conley
Stan Okoye, F, 6-5, Knightdale
Trey Sumler, G, 6-2, Nash Central
DaMetrius Upchurch, C, 6-6, Raleigh Garner
Candon Rusin, F, 6-3, Hampstead Topsail
Alex Tucker, 6-8, Lee County

Head Coach: David Dewey, South Johnston
Assistant Coach: Todd Edge, Fayetteville Byrd

WEST BOYS
Drew Absher, G, 5-10, Davie County
Josh Pittman, G, 6-1, Trinity
Michael Grace, G, 6-0, Mount Tabor
C.J. Harris, G, 6-3, Mount Tabor
Eric Mayo, F, 6-4, Shelby
Wakefield Ellison, G, 6-5, Asheville
Julius Brooks, C, 6-9, Page
Kyle Gaillard, G, 6-7, North Mecklenburg
Keith Rendleman, F, 6-7, East Lincoln
K. J. Sherrill, F, 6-7, West Rowan

Head Coach: Howard West, Reagan
Assistant Coach: Greg McKenzie, East Rowan