High School Sports

By PHIL HICKS
Sports Editor

SAN ANTONIO — Corey Walker couldn’t ask for much more.

The 5-8 guard from Arp played in two Final Fours, on a state championship team and Monday he participated in the 64th Annual Texas High School Coaches Association All-Star Basketball Game.

Although his South All-Star squad fell to the North, 109-103, Walker had quite an experience.

“It was a good — what a fun experience,” said Walker, who had two rebounds and an assist in seven minutes of play.

The game was played before a crowd of 2,508 at Bill Greehey Arena on the campus of St. Mary’s University.

Walker, a 5-8 guard who plans to walk on at Tyler Junior College, helped the South rally late to make a game of it. He said he wished he could have had more playing time, but it would not distract from his overall week among the All-Stars.

“I just thank God for everything,” Walker said. “My mom (Shelonda Walker) and Him.”

Arp coach Brian Keith was thrilled to see his star in the All-Star Game.

“It was great to see him in this game,” Keith said. “I would have loved to see him get a shot at the end. … I was just glad he got a chance to play in the All-Star Game.”

D’Andre Williams, a 6-0 guard from Amarillo Palo Duro, was the Most Valuable Player for the North. He scored 19 points, dished out 11 assists and was 8-of-9 from the free throw line. Williams has signed with Odessa College.

Julian Boyd, a 6-6 forward from San Antonio Taft, starred for the South with 27 points and 18 rebounds. He has signed with Long Island University.

It was a typical All-Star game with spectacular offensive plays and little defense. The North, coached by Dallas South Oak Cliff’s James C. Mays II, appeared to be in control, but a 3-pointer by Abel Galliguez of Fort Bend Dulles, pulled the South within 101-98 with a minute to play.

However, Cory Dixon of Argyle, hit four free throws down the stretch to ice the game. Dixon led the North with 23 points.

Notes: Dixon, a 6-7 forward won the Slam Dunk Contest. He was 3-for-3 on dunks and edged out Boyd, a 6-6 forward. Boyd was also 3-for-3. Dixon, who will attend Northwestern State, celebrated his win by doing the “Carlton Dance,” made famous by Alfonso Ribeiro as Carlton Banks on “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” Needless to say it was a hit with crowd. … Scott Straley of The Colony won the 3-Point Shootout. The 6-5 center hit 11 from long distance. He will attend Austin College. He edged Brandon Irwin of Thorndale by one. ….The players and their parents and coaches were honored before the game. … According to the THSCA Press Guide, Walker is the second Arp player to play in the All-Star Basketball Game. The first was Bunny Bradford in 1948. … Four John Tyler players have participated in the THSCA All-Star Basketball Game — Bobby Carpenter (1961); Dennis Gordon (1976); Anthony Lee (1978) and Fred West (1985). … Robert E. Lee has had two players in the contest — Danielche Johnson (1977) and Charles Young (1982). … Next year’s basketball game will be held in Austin at the Erwin Center on the campus of The University of Texas. … Former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Tony Hill was on hand to watch his son, Anthony, play for the North squad. The young Hill was point guard for Plano East. He will attend Colgate. Hill had three points and two assists.

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64th Annual THSCA

All-Star Basketball Game

North 109, South 103

North 24 21 27 37 — 109
South 30 19 16 38 — 103

NORTH — Anthony Hill, 3; Phillip Colley, 16; Tim Meadows, 4; Darren Houliston, 19; Chase Spruiell, 7; Cory Dixon, 23; Jayton Buxkemper, 0; Cameron Swarb, 0; Nathan McPherson, 2; Scott Straley, 13; Adam Bailey, 3; D’Andre Williams, 19.

SOUTH — Timothy Johnson, 10; Brock Kimball, 18; Abel Galliguez, 16; Corbin Ray, 6; Terry Bembry, 3; Corey Walker, 0; Gene Edwards, 3; Brandon Irwin, 3; Julian Boyd, 27; Steven Stolle, 0; James Blasczyk, 4; Daniel Marsh, 13.

THREE-POINT GOALS — N: Houliston, Spruiell, Straley (2), Williams (3). S: Kimball (3), Galliguez (4), Irwin, Boyd (3).

ATT. — 2,508.