For the second straight season, I was named a Division 1-AAA Conference All-Star and Top 30 player by Georgia Association of Private Schools. This means I was selected to compete in the 2024 All-Star game where I put up 9pts, 4reb, 2ast, 2stl in a 64-61 win. Here’s how my day went.
My parents and I made the 90-minutes drive to Gordon State College in Barnesville, Georgia. Similar to last year’s all-star game, I checked in and got my all-star plaque and jersey. Headed to my team’s practice for 30 minutes before having lunch. After lunch, I watched the girls All-Star game before our game started.
MY TEAM: My coaches were from this year’s Division 1AAA state champions, and ironically, they are friends of Shaquille O’Neal who I work for. I didn’t start, but after a giving up 7 unanswered points in the first 3 minutes, the coach subbed me.
FIRST HALF: After subbing in I played the rest of the 1st quarter and got 2 points (2-2 FT), 1 steal, 1 assist, and a few deflections to help my team close the quarter ahead 22-15. As a result, the coaches started me the 2nd quarter, where I scored 4 points (2-4 FG), 2 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 turnover. At halftime we were ahead 41-27, and I had 6pts, 2reb, 2ast, 1stl, and 1TO.
DUNK CONTEST: At halftime there was a dunk contest, and after talking to Mac McClung at NBA All-Star Weekend, I felt inspired to try and get my first dunk at my own All-Star weekend. While I didn’t make the dunk attempts, I got very close. My parents and coaches all got a good laugh out of it, and I had a blast.
SECOND HALF: I started the 3rd quarter and played two separate 2 minute runs. I scored 3pts, 2reb, and 1stl and we ended the 3rd with a 51-42 lead. I picked up my 4th foul in the first 2 minutes of the 4th quarter, so I had to sit. When I left the game we had a 53-42 lead, but my team just didn’t play good defense and we wound up in a tie game 61-61 with 1.8 seconds left. Our coaches called a timeout and drew up a play that led to a made buzzer beater 3-pointer by one of my teammates for the 64-61 victory. In the end I had 9pts, 4reb, 2ast, 2stl, and 1TO.
Sadly, this was my last ever high school basketball game. I had a lot of fun, made some new friends, and gained the respect of my coaches and teammates. Next chapter will be college basketball.
