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GREENSBORO — The N.C. Coaches’ Association couldn’t have asked for a better game in the boys basketball contest Monday night.

The West took a big lead in the third quarter, but behind the defensive and offensive effort of North Carolina signee Reggie Bullock (Kinston HS), the East staged a rally.

A shot by Bishop McGuinness grad Aaron Toomey tied the score with 24 seconds to play, but a free throw by the East’s TaShawn Mabry (Rocky Mount HS) gave the East a 99-98 victory.

Bullock was named MVP and finished with a team-high 20 points. He admitted after the game that he injured his thumb in a pick-up game a couple of days before the All-Star practices began and it bothered him at the start of the game.

“In the first half, I was sluggish and the team was sluggish,” Bullock said. “We were sluggish to start the second half, but we started playing together as a team in the third quarter. I just had to get more aggressive. My shot wasn’t falling so the coaches told me to go to the basket and be more aggressive.”

After leading by 12 at halftime, the West pushed the advantage to 71-54 with 4:55 to play in the third quarter. That is when Bullock made his presence felt.

He scored on a dunk that got the crowd and his teammates energized. The East cut the lead to 77-66 to begin the fourth quarter.

The teams exchanged several free throws and the East looked like it had taken command with a 98-95 lead and the ball. But the West stole a pass intended for Bullock and Toomey got the outlet pass on a 2-on-1 break. He pulled up and knocked down the 3-pointer from the left side to tie the game at 98.

“I knew we had to get a quick shot,” said Toomey, who finished with seven points. “I had a good look and it went in. It was just special to be on the same floor with so many great athletes who will be going to Division I schools next year.”

The East had one final possession to win the game and the team worked the ball around until it got Mabry isolated on the baseline against Corey Hensley (Enka HS).

Mabry went up for a shot and both players hit the floor. Hensley was called for the foul with 3.6 seconds remaining.

Mabry missed the first free throw and with all 2,892 of the audience on the edge of their seats, sank the second free throw .

WEST (98) — Corey Hensley 10-15 1-2 22; De’Mon Brooks 4-12 5-7 13; Jordan Downing 3-96-6 13; Darius Carrier 5-8 0-0 12; Jeremy Ingram 3-9 1-2 9; Jack Sumner 3-5 0-0 8; Aaron Toomey 2-3 1-2 7; Evan Shelton 3-4 1-2 7; Justin Cheek 1-10 2-2 4; Kendall Bethea 0-0 3-4 3. Totals 34-75 20-27 98.

EAST (99) — Reggie Bullock 8-19 2-4 20; Preston Ross 7-13 4-7 19; TaShawn Mabry 4-14 8-11 17; Jake Lliteras 4-7 0-0 10; Jerrel Williams 3-3 4-6 10; Emanuel Chapman 2-9 2-2 6; Dory Hines 2-4 2-6 6; Jamaal Williams 1-10 2-4 4; Robert Carpenter 2-6 0-0 4; RaSean Brewington 1-2 0-0 3. Totals 34-87 24-40 99.

Halftime: West 56-44.

3-point goals—West 10-25 (Toomey 2-2; Sumner 2-3; Carrier 2-2; Ingram 2-6; Hensley 1-3; Downing 1-4; Cheek 0-4; Brooks 0-1), East 7-21 (Lliteras 2-5; Bullock 2-6; Ross 1-1; Brewington 1-1; Mabry 1-4; Carpenter 0-2; Jamaal Williams 0-1; Chapman 0-1).

Fouled out—None.

Rebounds—West 50 (Brooks 13), East 56 (Bullock 10).

Assists—West 17 (Toomey 5; Brooks 5), East 13 (Chapman 3).

Total fouls—West 22, East 16.

A—2,892