D.C./B’More Stars Shine as McDonald’s Celebrates its 30th All-Star Game
Ivan McDowell, Southeast/Mid-South Editor
April 10, 2007 - The nation’s best high school hoopsters filled Louisville’s Freedom Hall almost two weeks ago to the delight of fans from all over the country. But nobody was more pleased, than fans of Mid-Atlantic hoops.
The contest featuring potential one-n-done collegians such as the East’s O.J. Mayo and the loaded West squad featuring Michael Beasley, Eric Gordon and Derrick Rose, undoubtedly bring their best games to this event.
Early on the East broke out to a nine point lead, 25-16, but a break away dunk by James Harden (Arizona State), followed by a trey from Arizona signee Jarryd Bayless, narrowed the gap to 25-23.
The up and down affair continued with future Georgetown Hoya Austin Freeman banking in a three trailed by Duke’s Taylor King lay up at the other end, made the score 36-34 East. Freeman nailed his first two shots, one from behind the arc, while the other was just inside.
Austin Freeman, this season for DeMatha Catholic.
The West began to take control when they embarked on a 13-3 spurt to gain control at the 7:12 mark, 47-39. Kevin Love, who has committed to UCLA, was a horse on the inside while Indiana University’s Eric Gordon got to the cup at will, racking up trips to the foul line, where his is almost automatic.
Derrick Rose’ dribble penetration in the half court and his unselfishness in the open floor propelled the West to its advantage. Memphis will have its best guard since Penny Hardaway when Rose joins the Tigers next fall.
The highlight of the first half was a baseline tomahawk dunk by Syracuse-bound Johnny Flynn right before the buzzer. Flynn’s East squad trailed by eleven, 68-57, at the break.
Michael Beasley (K-State) and Kevin Love formed a nice inside-out combo for the West with Love banging around inside for 11 points, while Beasley stroked 2 of 3 jumpers from downtown for six of his game high 23 points. Jarryd Bayless chipped in 10.
The east squad carried a balanced attack into the locker room led by Ohio State commit Kosta Koufos’ nine points. Donte’ Greene and Pat Patterson added seven and six respectively. The star of the half was Flynn, who beyond his highlight film dunks, dropped six dimes in the half as well.
A dunk contest ensued as both teams leaked out after missed shots and the game became a “showtime” affair.
Austin Freeman’s follow-up dunk kept the east to within ten, 88-78 and his pretty feed to fellow Maryland native Greene – who will play for Jim Boeheim at Syracuse - after a steal, cut the deficit to nine, 94-85.
Freeman has a nice feel for the game, good strength and quickness and a killer mid-range game. Although he played well, Austin’s game seems better suited for structure rather than the run-n-gun nature of an all-star game.