LYNN – It was an entertaining night at Lynn Classical High School for the Agganis All-Star boys? basketball game, as the North All-Stars beat the South All-Stars, 71-68. Arlington guard Josh Lee was awarded the MVP of the North team, while Salem forward Bryan Martinez took home MVP honors for the South team.
The South was loaded with great local players, such as St. Mary?s star Dennis Bailer and Danvers standout Devan Harris. Lynn English was represented the most on the South, with three players (Stevie Collins, Johnny Hilaire and Jordan Lark).
Salem State basketball fans also got a look at some of the new players that will be joining the team next year. South teammates Bailer, Martinez and Justin Winn of Saugus will all be joining the Vikings next year.
The North, which included local players Brendan Morrison of Peabody and Andrew Muniz of Gloucester, was the smaller team, but that didn?t stop them from making a game of it.
The pregame shootaround may have been just as entertaining as the game itself. In the layup lines, players from each team were trying to one-up each other?s dunks and alley-oops. Players were launching threes from NBA range and making wild up-and-under layups look easy.
It was an offensive free-for-all for the most part, with a pretty high tendency for some wild shots. But it was an entertaining brand of basketball, an up-and-down style of game that included its fair share of dunk and alley-oop attempts.
It was also a very well-played game, with five lead changes in the first half alone. It was a typical kind of all-star game, that is to say there was very little defense being played. At the half, the North led by just one, 32-31.
Both teams came out firing in the second half, but it was the North that knocked its shots down. Muniz did a great job on the perimeter, moving well off the ball and making the most of his opportunities to shoot. Lee also played well on both sides of the ball, hitting his open looks and banging for rebounds among the trees inside.
The North extended its lead to as much a nine about five minutes into the second half, and it didn?t let the South get much closer.
The South went on a few small runs throughout the half. Martinez and Harris did their work on the inside, while Collins was all over the perimeter. After a few quick makes, the South got to within two with under three minutes remaining.
But the North was able to keep the South at arm?s length, playing great defense and hitting clutch shots when it needed to.
After one final dagger three-pointer from Lee, the North walked away with the win.
?These kids are the best of the best,” said South coach Paul Moran. “They all know each other and it?s great to get them out here to play. They?re fantastic.”
Moran, who coaches the Saugus boys? team, also expressed his feelings about being a part of the Agganis activities.
?It?s just a great night to be a part of,” he said. “Everyone in this area knows who Harry Agganis is, and I?m honored to be a part of this night.”
Mike Alongi can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @m_alongi.