North men, South women all-stars prevail

Stats: Women | Men

A record crowd of nearly 5,000 fans turned out Saturday at the Baltimore Arena to see the best black college men and women seniors square off in the fourth annual National Car Rental Black College All-Star Basketball Classic.

Earl Monroe speaks to his North squad during a break in the action.

Scouts from five NBA teams, as well as agents representing domestic and international professional leagues were on hand looking for guys or gals with the kind of athletic ability, poise or flair to make it on the next level.

They did not come away disappointed.

CIAA MVP, 6-5 center Rashida Brooks of Bowie State and 6-6 Florida A&M center Teresa Jenkins, who both played for the women's North squad of CIAA and MEAC stars, towered above the other women's players and drew quite a bit of attention for their size and skills. But Grambling State swing player Felicia James was the most impressive.

James led the South squad with a game-high 27 points on a variety of strong moves to the basket as her team of SIAC and SWAC stars came from behind to defeat the North 71-65. She was named the women's MVP. James was Grambling's second leading scorer (13.4 ppg.), behind SWAC MVP Termika Mitchell, and the Lady Tigers defensive stopper, but she used this game to show her offensive prowess.

Playing with energy and enthusiasm, she had 14 first half points as her squad went into the break trailing 38-31. She added 13 more points in the second half including a drive to the basket with 17 minutes to play which gave the South a lead they did not relinquish.

Grambling's Felicia James scores two of her game-high 27 points.

"She's a great basketball player," said North head coach Ruth Bolton-Holyfield, a former Olympic star who currently plays for the WNBA's Sacramento Monarchs. "She has great one-on-one skills. She looks to score. She really was the key to them winning."

"She needs to be on somebody's (WNBA) team," said South coach Penny Moore, who plays for the WNBA's Washington franchise. "I really think she could be a superstar in the WNBA if she continues to play like she did today. If she works on her jump shot a little more, as far as three-point shooting, she could be a threat in the WNBA. I hope she takes this advice and goes ahead and tries out for a team."

James was the only double figure scorer for the South team. Winston-Salem State guard Erica Leggett led the North with 13 points. Brooks had 11, while Jenkins and Livingstone guard Tricosa Green had 10.

No one player dominated the men's play the way James did but several got the scouts to sit up and pay attention. Game MVP Antwain Smith of St. Paul's had 13 points and 10 rebounds to lead the North to a 97-83 win.

Smith, the three-time CIAA Player of the Year, who appears to be the only black college player with a chance to be taken in the June NBA draft, showed the quickness off the floor and ability to score around the basket that earned him a berth in the Portsmouth Invitational and a pick in the first round of the USBL draft (to Connecticut).

"He (Smith) can do more than just score the ball," said John McLendon, the legendary black college and pro coach who was honored at halftime of the men's game. "He plays defense, rebounds and runs the floor. He'll get an opportunity to play for somebody."

Coppin State swingman Fred Warrick (12), Florida A&M center Kevin George (11), Virginia Union guard William Davis (11) and Virginia State forward Jeffrey McCall (10) finished in double figures for the North.

Albany State forward Willie Hunt led the South squad with 13 points, canning seven of eight free throws. Six-ten Grambling State center Thomas Dodd had 12 points and seven rebounds, while Kentucky State high-scoring guard Cory Dumphard also had 12.

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