FREDERICKTOWN — High school basketball fans were treated to some of the best three-pointer shooting in the area in between games at the 30th annual Mount Vernon News All-Star Senior Showcase on Tuesday night. When all was said and done, Fredericktown’s Andrew Newell won on his home court and Utica’s Kandis Walker took home the top girls honor.
Newell was one of the most consistent shooters on the night. Shooting five balls at three different stations, he had 10 points in the first round to qualify for the semifinals. Newell then posted 12 points in the semifinals and advanced to face Highland’s Ryan Barnett in the finals. Barnett, who also had 10 points in the first round, dropped in 13 points in the semifinals to advance.
“I was a little nervous because I knew all of those guys are good three-point shooters; I didn’t think I was going to make it out of the first round,” said Newell. “As the second round came, I realized those guys were missing a lot more than they were making, so I had a chance.”
In the finals, Newell edged Barnett by making two more shots, 12-10, and earned the Three-Point Shootout title.
“I finally started hitting them; I found my rhythm,” Newell said. “(Playing at home one last time) meant a lot. I’m going to miss it.”
Loudonville’s Kyle Nickles won the first round with 13 points, and Mount Vernon Academy’s Kash Gordon also advanced with 12 points. Both were knocked out by Newell and Barnett, scoring seven and eight points, respectively.
In the girls competition, all eight participants were slow to get it going, with Becca Mottayaw of Clear Fork leading the way with eight points. Walker was second in Round 1, scoring seven; Danville’s Tracy Payne advanced with six; and Michelle Fairchild and Chris Kranz tied with four points each.
In the semifinals, Payne drained 11 points to move on, while Walker and Kranz finished with nine points apiece. All three moved on to the finals, where Walker edged Kranz, 7-6. Payne finished third with four points.
Walker was not available for comment.
