http://www.ajc.com/today/content/epaper/editions/today/sports_24330e18f00ad0a10021.htmlHIGH SCHOOLS: All-Star game still has appeal
Stan Awtrey - Staff
Sunday, March 13, 2005
Some of the big names have been marked off the boys roster, but that doesn't diminish the star quality for today's Georgia Athletic Coaches Association's North-South All-Star Game at Savannah State.
Louis Williams of South Gwinnett and Korvotney Barber of Manchester were both selected for the McDonald's All-American game. Wheeler standout Sharaud Curry and Crisp County's Lewis Clinch also asked to be excused.
Even with that quartet out of the action, the rosters are loaded with Division I players.
"Both sides have a lot of talent, no matter who's there," said Coosa's Larry Bing, who will coach the North team. "The game of basketball has obviously been good to all these participants involved."
The North team is led by Rashad Chase, a Georgia State signee who helped Mays win its second straight Class AAAA championship, and Mike Mercer, a Georgia signee who can emerge from the shadow of South Gwinnett teammate Louis Williams for at least one afternoon.
Other standouts on the North team include Octavious Spann of Banneker (Georgetown), Daniel Emerson of Norcross (Western Kentucky), Billy Humphrey of Dacula (Georgia) and Rasheem Barrett of Marist (Auburn).
Top players on the South team include Alade Aminu, a Georgia Tech signee who helped Stephenson reach the semifinals, and Charles Jackson of Tri-Cities, who has signed with Illinois. Other top players include Terrance Vinson of Lowndes (Virginia Tech), Markel Humphrey of Stockbridge (Marshall) and Uriah Hethington of Cairo (Middle Tennessee). Bill Atkins of Greenville, who is retiring after 32 seasons, will coach the South.
The only star missing from the girls roster is Marietta's Angel Robinson, another McDonald's All-America participant. She was replaced on the roster by Courtney Opie, who helped McEachern reach the semifinals.
"We've got some good players; one through 12, they're all good, quality players," said Central Gwinnett coach Cass Cassell, who will direct the North team. His father, Glenn Cassell, is a former North-South coach.
The North team includes Lindsey Moss of Chattahoochee (Tennessee), Susan Yenser of Harrison (Clemson), Christy Brown of Holy Innocents' (Clemson), Greteya Kelley of Collins Hill (Appalachian State) and Ashley Austin of Collins Hill (Evansville).
"It'll be good to work with the girls from Collins Hill," said Cassell, whose team was eliminated by the Eagles in the second round of the playoffs. "I'll be glad to be on the same side with them for once."
The South team, coached by Paula Jones of East Coweta, includes Terrell County's Tanae Davis (Florida State), Danielle Taylor of Beach (Georgia), Cayla Moore of Westover (Florida State), Tashera Lewis of Dodge County (Mercer) and Jada Frazier of Westover (New Orleans).
NORTH-SOUTH BASKETBALL
> When: Today
> Where: Savannah State
> Times: Girls game at 2 p.m., boys game at 4 p.m.