SPARTA — Leading by 19 late in the first half, the All-Stars looked to be in control Tuesday night.
But, after watching that lead disappear in the second half, the All-Stars needed a strong effort late to hang on for an 84-81 victory over the Senior Stars in the Mount Vernon News All-Star Senior Showcase at Highland High School.
“We never like to lose. We played our hearts out tonight,” said Mount Vernon’s Brad Fenton, who was named Most Valuable Player for the game.
It was all All-Stars early in the game. The seniors from Mount Vernon, Danville, East Knox and Highland took control from nearly the opening tip, going on an 8-0 run. Fenton and teammate Dakota Chapman led the way, as both scored two buckets, including a dunk by Fenton that got the crowd excited early.
“I came here looking to have fun. I got a couple of dunks, which was pretty exciting,” Fenton said.
A pair of 7-0 runs separated by one basket from the Seniors helped the All-Stars push the lead to 16 midway through the first half (29-13). Mount Vernon’s Riley Swanson had five of those points in the 14-2 run.
Another 8-0 run by the All-Stars pushed the lead to 41-22 and it looked like this game might turn into a laugher.
But, Centerburg’s Jacob Sutton and Utica’s Sam Preston weren’t in the mood for laughter. Sutton canned two 3-pointers and Preston scored six points as the Seniors closed the gap to 10 (44-34).
image gallery
2011-12 Mount Vernon News Award Winners
The area award winners of the past basketball season were presented with trophies between the girls and boys basketball games at the All-Star Senior Showcase at Highland High School on Tuesday. From left, Centerburg's Mackenzie Stoyle, All-Area Girls Player of the Year; Danville's Kate Walls, Area Girls Scoring Champion; Utica's Michelle Snow, Girls Coach of the Year; Mount Vernon's Kurt Kaufman, Boys Coach of the Year; and Fredericktown's Ryan Logan, Area Boys Scoring Champion and All-Area Boys Player of the Year. (Photo by Fred Main)

Fenton MVP of tight All-Star game
Senior-Stars' Chase Cochran (20), of Centerburg, puts up a shot while All-Stars' Nate Miller, of Mount Vernon, defends during Tuesday's Mount Vernon News All-Star Senior Showcase at Highland. (Photo by Fred Main)

Three-point champ
Utica's Joel Swick took home the championship in the three-point shooting contest between the boys and girls basketball games at the All-Star Senior Showcase at Highland High School on Tuesday. (Photo by Fred Main)

Fenton MVP of tight All-Star game
All-Stars' Brad Fenton, of Mount Vernon, completes a dunk while teammate Dakota Chapman, right, and Senior-Stars' Max Miller, of Fredericktown, look on during Tuesday's All-Star Senior Showcase at Highland High School (Photo by Fred Main)

Senior-Stars score triple-digits in win
All-Stars' Sam Zuber, right, of Highland, blocks a shot attempt by Senior-Stars' Carly Compton, of Centerburg, while All-Stars' Taylor Hankins (12), of Highland, defends during Tuesday's Mount Vernon News All-Star Senior Showcase. (Photo by Fred Main)

Senior-Stars score triple-digits in win
All-Stars' Danielle Doup, left, from Utica and Taylor Hankins, from Highland, wrestle for the ball with Senior-Stars' Desiree Cottrell, from East Knox, during Tuesday's All-Star Senior Showcase at Highland. Senior-Stars' Hayley Gray (11), from East Knox, and Carly Compton, from Centerburg, look on. (Photo by Geoff Cowles)

Three-point champ
Centerburg's Claire Harvey took home the championship in the three-point shooting contest between the boys and girls basketball games at the All-Star Senior Showcase at Highland High School on Tuesday. (Photo by Fred Main)

Fenton MVP of tight All-Star game
Senior-Stars' Sam Preston, right, of Utica, looks to score while All-Stars' Payton Woodruff, of Highland, defends during Tuesday's Mount Vernon News All-Star Senior Showcase. (Photo by Fred Main)
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