PINEVILLE — Players change every year, but the Louisiana High School Basketball Coaches Association’s All-Star basketball games are always about three things for Louisiana’s best seniors – fun, competition and impact.
The West All-Stars tick all the boxes by sweeping the East roster in the boys’ and girls’ showcase games played Saturday at Louisiana Christian’s HO West Field House.
In the girls, the duo of Paris Guillory of St. Louis and Mikaylah Williams of Parkway led the West to an 88-63 victory. The West won the boys’ game 102-88, with Port Allen’s Isaiah helping Howard lead an even attack that canceled out a game-high 20 point by Zachary’s Brandon Hardy for the East.
“I really enjoyed it,” said Mikaylah Williams, who signed with LSU in November. “I’ve played with Paris, Makaylah (Manley) and Areil (Williams), so it’s just been about having fun with my friends and family who are here right now.”
Williams, Guillory and Lafayette’s Chrysta Narcisse started the girls’ game in a tie and had no trouble getting the West on pace in the first five minutes – resulting in a 37-13 lead after the first quarter.
While East St. John’s Jasmine Matthews held the East team on their way to an MVP nod with 15 points, Guillory and Williams combined for 35 points for the win and co-MVP honors for the West. Louisiana Tech signing Guillory posted a game-high 20. Donaldsonville’s Janae Southall added a 10 for the east.
The boys’ game was closer early on but the West eventually parted ways as 10 players scored in the first half to take a 47-37 lead.
The West continued to disperse things in the second half with 12 scorers, but Howard finished the game as MVP with eight points and two crucial 3-pointers.
Hardy, a UL signee, earned the MVP of the East. Hahnville’s Cam Lumar led the West Boys by 13 points.
The game was a sweet finale for Hardy, whose season ended when the LHSAA disqualified Zachary and Liberty from the playoffs after a fight broke out during their game in District 4-5A.
“I was just excited to play,” Hardy said. “I lost my season in February so I was excited to play for the state again. I was back on the pitch after our season (ended). I just stayed in the gym.”
In the second year, there was a 3-point contest between the top shooters in each region at halftime for both games.
Elizabeth “Libby” Thompson, the senior of Ponchatoula, was the girls’ 3-point champion while Jalen Brown, a sophomore of Avoyelles charter, won the boys’ competition.
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