Press Release :: Women's Basketball Coaches Association

ATLANTA, Ga. -The future of women’s basketball made it crystal clear in front of a crowd of 2,400 that they are worthy to carry the torch as the Red Team defeated the White Team, 98 – 95 in the 2007 Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) High School All-America Game presented by Nike.

The White Team led at the half, 54 – 47, but could not hold off a charged Red Team. A Maya Moore three pointer jump-started a 6 – 0 Red Team run that tied the game with 16:11 left. Moore then nailed another from behind the arc with 14:12 on the clock to put the Red up for good.

The White Team would claw back into the game from a 15-point deficit. Iasia Hemingway hit two free throws with 31 seconds left in the game that brought White within one point. However, a free throw by the Red Team’s Lorin Dixon iced the victory. White was able to get the ball back with 5 seconds left, but could not manage a shot before the end game buzzer.

The game was a great start for many careers, however it was the last for one individual. White Team Head Coach Lurline Jones of University City High School in Philadelphia, Pa. retired after the season.

“The WBCA is such an incredible program and I am proud to say I have been there since the beginning,” said Jones. “This was such a great way to end my career.”

Maya Moore, a forward from Collins Hill High School in Suwanee, Ga., solidified her State Farm/WBCA Player of the Year honors, scoring a game high of 25 points and garnering the Red Team MVP honors. Moore shot 11 of 24, pulled in 8 rebounds and dished 6 assists.

“This was a great atmosphere with such a competitive group of all-stars. We had a lot fun out there!” said Moore.

Moore will head to the University of Connecticut next year.

The group of all-stars packed Woodling Gymnasium on the campus of Cleveland State University, with fans, athletes and coaches wanting to get a glimpse of the future collegiate stars.

“That was a great game,” said Red Team Coach, Ellis Barfield, “I have coached all-star games in the past and that was the most impressive game I have been involved with.”

Other great performances that etched the court were Red Team center Ta’ Shia Phillips of Brebeuf Jesuit High School in Indianapolis, Ind. who tallied 11 points and 10 rebounds.

White Team MVP, Marah Strickland shot 8 of 15, including 50 percent from behind the arc, while scoring 20 points. The Towson Catholic High School guard added 3 assists and 2 blocked shots. Strickland will join the Terrapins of the University of Maryland next season.

“This was such a great experience playing in such a prestigious all-star game,” said Strickland, “Nike did a great job and it was fun being around so many great athletes”

White Team teammate, Cleveland Catholic Central High School center, Jantel Lavender added a double - double in the loss. Lavender, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, welcomed her fellow all-stars to her hometown with a 20-point (9-14 FG) and 11 rebound performance.

Lavender will join the Buckeyes of Ohio State University this fall.

The 2007 WBCA High School All-America Game presented by Nike marked the 16th annual event. Watch for the 2008 WBCA High School All-America Game presented by Nike held in Tampa, Fla.

Founded in 1981, the WBCA promotes women's basketball by unifying coaches at all levels to develop a reputable identity for the sport and to foster and promote the development of the game in all of its aspects as a sport for women and girls. For more information about the WBCA, please visit WBCA.org.