A trio of standout high school hoopers with local ties are slated to compete in the first annual Magnolia State All Star Weekend at Mississippi Valley State on Saturday and Sunday.
Greenwood High senior JT Lawrence and J.Z. George senior D’Anthony McGlothan will compete in Saturday’s 3-point contest while DeAndre “DJ” Smith, a former Greenwood High star and current Greenville Christian senior, will participate in Saturday’s skills challenge. A dunk contest will also highlight Saturday’s event night, which begins at 7 p.m in Itta Bena.
On Sunday at noon, the three will team up on the North squad and face off against the basketball players in the South.
Kiery Stribling founded the Magnolia State All Star Series after seeing prep stars like Smith — the reigning Gatorade Player of the Year — ineligible to participate in the MS/AL all-star football game because he transferred to a private school. Following a successful football showcase in December, Stribling couldn’t pass up the opportunity to bring top talent from private and public schools together again on the hardcourt.
“Usually we have to leave Mississippi to go to showcases,” said Stribling, a former Mississippi College football player who also played arena and semi-pro football. “Why can’t we attract exposure and bring the top talent to us?”
This year, only the state’s top senior talent was invited to the showcase, but next year Stribling aims to add a rising stars game to the weekend’s events.
- Contact Riley Overend at 662-581-7237 or roverend@gwcommonwealth.com. Follow @GWC_Sports on Twitter.
