Area seniors compete in All-Star game

Southwest coach leads All-Star team Southwest Lady Trojan basketball coach Kenny Ferguson, pictured above with members of his team, was selected to coach the Lions All-Star South team. In the contest, which featured the region's top senior basketball players, Ferguson's team defeated the North squad 91-88. His team included his daughter, Kayla Ferguson, and Exeter's Ashley Porter. Democrat Photo
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Craig Davidson, a senior from Wheaton, was the only boy to compete. Davidson scored four points in the contest and grabbed four rebounds for the South team.

The 6'4" center, used to playing more in a half-court offense, was not complemented by the contest's up-tempo style. The South team lost to the North 102-88. Davidson also had one block in the game.

The top scorer for the South team was College Heights' Sam Simpson, who scored 38 points in the 40-minute affair.

The girls' competition included two area athletes and also one area coach.

Coach Kenny Ferguson, who led the Southwest Lady Trojans to a conference championship and a 21-win season, was selected coach of the South team. Ferguson's team won 91-88.

Playing on that squad was his daughter, Kayla Ferguson. The Southwest High graduate did not score any points in the contest but did grab four rebounds, all in the second period.

When asked about having to once again play for a team with her father as the coach Kayla replied, "It was nice. I've been playing for him my entire life; I was proud of him."

Ashley Porter from Exeter also played for the South team. Porter scored 2 points in the contest and complemented that with three rebounds.

The top scorer for the South team was Saysan Jones from Joplin with 29 points.

The games were set in a college-like atmosphere with two 20-minute halves played at the main gym of the Leggett and Platt Center.