LONGVIEW – The girls rendition of the Lower Columbia Area All-Star Game checked off all the boxes on Tuesday night at Myklebust Gymnasium on the Lower Columbia College campus. There were plenty of points. There was sparse defense. There was some dazzle. And there were a whole lot of long goodbyes at the end as many of the top high school players from around Southwest Washington wrote the final chapter in their storied careers.
Team White defeated Team Red 89-75. But the final score was mostly beside the point.
Adrian Wright of Evergreen was named the MVP of the winning team after scoring a game-high 23 points while shooting 10 of 19 from the field. Wright also grabbed eight rebounds, dished a pair of assists, and generally found herself in the right place at the right time all evening as the teams played an impromptu brand of basketball that was likely a breath of fresh air after nearly four months of highly regimented practices and diligent game plan execution.
Adna’s Karsyn Freeman was named the MVP of the Red Team after posting a double-double that included 16 points, 10 rebounds and two assists.
“It was amazing. I think the thing that I liked was that they’re all competitive,” Freeman noted. “And we kind of all know each other, which makes it really fun.”
Freeman was paired with her next-town neighbor, Julia Dalan of W.F. West, for the exhibition game and came away mightily impressed. Dalan scored the first four points of the game for the Reds and finished with 14 for the game. She also grabbed six rebounds, blocked one shot, and came away with a steal. But after four-years as the focal point of the Bearcats’ offense in the post, Dalan seemed to take pleasure in getting out of the way and facilitating for others, while even hoisting a pair of 3-point attempts in the contest.
Freeman didn’t hesitate to point out who impressed her most up close and in person.
“I’d say Julia, obviously, she’s just a great all-around player. Just her ability to fill up the court and block everyone with how tall she is. I’d be scared to play against her, honestly.”
W.F. West was also represented by Grace Simpson and Amanda Bennett, who suited up for the winning White Team. Simpson scored eight points with six rebounds, while Bennett added five points with three boards and two assists.
But one of the more entertaining aspects of the game was watching long-time teammates square off one-on-one as opponents in their final prep appearance on the hardwood. That dynamic played out several times for most of the players, including a couple memorable moments between Dalan and Simpson early in the contest that provided a sneak-peak and what’s been going on behind closed doors at practice for months, and years, on end.
“It’s more fun to go against girls who have been on your own team,” Freeman said. “I mean, we’ve played high school and AAU together, so we just all know each other really well.”
Of course, Adna was well represented on the floor while head coach, and former LCC point guard, Chris Bannish watched on from the stands.
Kendall Humphrey teaming up with Freeman on the Reds and scored two points while grabbing six rebounds. Meanwhile, Gaby Guard and Danika Hallom suited up for the Whites and picked up the victory. Guard posted 14 points while knocking down four 3-pointers, and Hallom finished with five points, three rebounds and two steals.
The White Team, jumped out to a 10-2 lead in the contest and held a 46-35 edge at the intermission, also featured Angelica Askey and Brooklyn Swenson of Rainier (Wash.). Askey scored 14 points and hauled in seven boards, while Swenson was limited to just two minutes of action due to injury.
For the Reds, Marley Myers of Columbia River put on a show. She tied with Freeman with a team-high 16 points, while also posting five rebounds to go with a pair of assists and steals.
As Freeman pondered her future in the game she was grateful for the opportunity to suit up once again with the familiar faces from her prep career.
“I think that one last game with everyone that’s good, and you just get to have fun out there, it was a good ending,” Freeman said.
