Roberts organizes inaugural Wayne County All-Star Classic

By Allen Etzler
Published in Sports on May 22, 2015 1:46 PM

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aetzler@newsargus.com

After a season-ending playoff loss to Jacksonville, Eastern Wayne boys basketball coach Chris Roberts knew he had to get started on fundraising for next year.

After a few conversations with people in the community, the idea for an all-star game between the top players in Wayne County popped up in his head and Roberts though it could be an option.

"The more I thought about it, the more I liked the idea," Roberts said. "We always hear about who the best players in Wayne County are and whether this person would do well against this person. Well, now we get to find out."

So tonight, Roberts will unveil the inaugural Wayne County All-Star Classic at Eastern Wayne High School. Tip-off is 6 p.m. and admission is $5.

The event will feature a boys' all-star game, a three-point contest and a dunk contest. Roberts originally planned to have a girls' all-star game included in the event as well, but the North Carolina High School Athletic Association said seniors are the only players who can participate in the game.

So, Roberts canceled the girls game.

"When we got through all the underclassmen who weren't able to play there just weren't enough kids left for the teams," Roberts said.

The number of underclassmen on the boys' side was much smaller and Roberts chose to play the game.

When picking the teams Roberts wanted players who were on the same team in the winter to be matched up against each other. Eastern Wayne's Blake Poland will be on the opposite bench of his teammates Micah Smith and Malik Richards. Spring Creek teammates Brandon Gonzalez and Trey Hammonds will be guarding their buddy Gary Williams.

Roberts planned the game as the kickoff to Memorial Day weekend and alumni weekend in hopes to get former players and parents of former players out to see some of the top talent Wayne County has to offer. Seven county schools will be represented.

"We're hoping that having it at a time when so many people are coming home, we will be able to sell out," Roberts said. "People will get a chance to see players they didn't get to see during the season."

Roberts is particularly excited to see some players he didn't get a chance to see during the regular season -- particularly Rosewood's Dennis Mitchell.

"Dennis is a kid I see at the Y all the time," Roberts said. "He's really worked hard and I don't think a lot of people know how good he is. But now we get to find out. We get to find out how good all of these kids are."