ST. CLAIRSVILLE’S Ryan McCort drives to the basket Friday night during the District 12 All-Star Basketball Game at Buckeye Trail High School in Old Washington.

OLD WASHINGTON – The annual District 12 All-Star Basketball Classic had a little bit of everything.

But mostly it was offense, offense and more offense in both the girls and boys contests held Friday evening at Buckeye Trail High School.

The majority of the offense, however, came from the West squads, which swept the victories. The girls used a second-half rally to pull away from the East, 95-77, while the West boys used a late flurry to pull out a 121-112 victory in the nightcap.

The West squads were comprised of schools basically inside the Muskingum Valley League with the exception of Cambridge, while the East was made up of the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference schools.

GIRLS

The East got off to a strong start in the opener against a West squad, which featured two players from Division II state runner-up Thornville Sheridan.

With eight of its 10 players finding the scoring column in the opening period, the East grabbed a 28-18 lead. However, the West inched to within eight at halftime.

During the half-time break, Fort Frye’s Hannah Archer, who will play at Wheeling University next season, drilled upwards of 25, 3-point goals from the top of the key en route to winning the shootout crown.

While Archer was knocking down shots, the West squad clearly came alive. It proceeded to outscore the East 37-22 and then 22-11 in the fourth for the victory. University of Akron signee Faith Stinson scored 20 points to lead the West and claim game MVP honors.

The East was much more balanced with Monroe Central standout Kalista Friday leading her team with 15 points. Regular-season teammate Haylyn Hiles was next in line with 12.

St. Clairsville’s Alexis Thoburn and Archer each had 11 points. Monroe’s Trista Morris and Fort Frye’s Kenzie Dalton each had eight.

BOYS

The boys put on a show with plenty of shots from behind the arc and several impressive dunks.

Competitive for the entire game, the West held a 31-28 lead after one, but the East surged in the second and took a 58-54 lead into the break.

In the first half, St. Clairsville’s Ryan McCort went for 16 points to lead the East. Meadowbrook’s Jake Singleton, went for 13 to pace his squad.

The West owned an 88-85 lead entering the final period and then salted the game away by outscoring the East, 34-27.

Singleton, who was named the game MVP, scored 25 points to lead the way. Zanesville’s Isaac Mayle, Philo’s Carter McCutcheon and Morgan’s Colin James each had 16.

The East was led by McCort, who pumped in 23 points. Barnesville’s Kason Powell added 16, while Caldwell’s Jett Lori hit five bonus goals for 15. Martins Ferry’s Jaizen Miles added 12, while Buckeye Trail’s Fanko Rome and Caldwell’s Matt Kowalsky each had 11.

NOTES

Numerous special awards were presented, including the Hall of Fame induction of former St. John Central girls basketball coach Bubba Kapral, former St. John and Martins Ferry girls coach Kim Appolloni and former St. John Central player Kayla Magistro.

All of the District 12 honorees, who were released in previous editions, received their plaques and formal recognitions.