2012 NCCA East-West All-Star Men's Basketball Game Bios

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GREENSBORO - Here are the 20 players who will participate in the Annual N.C. Coaches Association East-West All-Star Mens Basketball Game. The teams will clash on Monday, July 17 at Greensboro Coliseum. Tip-off should be at approximately 8:30 p.m.

2012 Men’s Basketball Bios

East Team

Chris Bennett

Chris…Seventy-First High …6,6, 210…center…coached by David Simmons…as senior,  named team Defensive Player of the Year…Coaches Award recipient…averaged 8.2 points, 8.8 rebounds…had 63 blocks…as junior, Most Improved Award recipient…averaged 5.1 points, 6.5 rebounds…had 51 blocks…also competed in track and field and cross country…signed an athletic grant-in-aid with Lenoir Rhyne University…says “It is an honor and privilege to be able to play and associate with great athletes from North Carolina.”

Alexander Bradley

Alex...Pine Forest High...5-7, 155... guard... coached by David May... as senior, averaged 22 points, 5 assists, 3 steals... made 75 3-pointers. . . named NCPrep All-State, All-District, District Player of Year, All-Cape Fear Region. . . as junior, averaged 11.9 points, 4.7 assists. . . as sophomore, averaged 6.3 points, 4.4 assists. . .member of National Honor Society. . . signed an athletic grant-in-aid with UNC Pembroke. . . undecided about major or career choice. . . favorite pro athletes are Chris Paul and Rajon Rondo. . . says “It’s an honor to play against the top high school players in the area and by playing with and against these players I hope to get a glimpse of what college will be like.”

Elon Edwards

Elon. . . J.H. Rose High. . . 6-0, 175. . . guard. . . coached by James Rankins. . . as senior, averaged 19.1 points, 5.4 assists, 3 steals, 3 rebounds. . . named All-District, All-Conference, All-Area, Area Player of the Year, team MPV and captain, NC-SC All-Star… averaged 15.3 points, 4.7 assists, 2 steals. . . named All-District, All-Conference, All-Area, team captain. . . as sophomore, averaged 12.4 points, 2.1 assists, 2 steals. . . named All-Conference. . . also competed in track and field, where he was a high jumper and a state finalist in the triple jump, and football. . . member of Dream Team, SGA. . . Citizenship Award recipient. . . named J.H. Rose High Male Athlete of the Year. . . signed an athletic grant-in-aid with Catawba College. . . undecided about major. . . wants to pursue a career as an information technologist. . . his brother Terrick Edwards is his role model. . . favorite college athlete is Reggie Bullock. . . favorite pro athlete is Chris Paul. . . says  “I’m honored to have been selected to represent the East All-Stars.  I’m looking forward to meeting new friends and having a great experience.” 

Terrill Hilliard

Terrill. . . Rocky Mount High. . .6-6, 189 lb. forward. . . coached by Michael Gainey. . . as senior, averaged 19.4 points 7.5 rebounds. . . named NCPreps 3A All-State, District  3 Player of the Year, All-Conference, Conference Player of the Year, Telegram All-Area, team MVP and captain. . . NC-SC All-Star Game participant. . . played for 3A state championship team. . . as junior, named All-Area, East Regional All-Tournament. . . as sophomore, played on 3A state championship team. . . signed an athletic grant-in-aid with Wingate University. . . undecided about major. . . his parents are his role models. . . favorite college athlete is Harrison Barnes. . . favorite pro athlete is James Harden. . . says “I feel very proud to be considered one of the best in the East and be able to represent Rocky Mount.  I’m expecting to get better from playing against high competition and gain more knowledge from the coaches and players.”

Denzel Ingram

Denzel. . . Chapel Hill High. . . 6-0, 170. . . guard. . . coached by Tod Morgan. . . as senior, named NCBCA State Player of the Year, NCPreps All-State, NCPreps 3A Player of the Year, Carolina Preps Player of the Year, All-Region, team MVP. . . NC-SC All-Star Game participant. . . as junior, named Eastern Regional All-Tournament, Conference Player of the Year, Academic All-Conference. . . as sophomore, named All-Conference, All-Academic Team. . . 2011 Alpha-Omega. . . signed an athletic grant-in-aid with UNC Charlotte where he will major in business. . .wants to play pro ball and own his own business. . . his father is his role model. . .favorite pro athlete is Chris Paul. . . says he feels  “very good, honored” to be playing in the all-star game, and he hopes to gain “new friendships and great memories.”

De’Andre Mason

D.J. . . . West Bladen High…6-5, 210. . . forward. . . coached by Travis Pait. . . as senior, averaged 19 points, 11 rebounds. . . named All-Conference, WWAY TV All-Region, Holiday in the Pines All-Tournament, team offensive Player of the Year. . . as junior, averaged 20 points, 10 rebounds. . . named All-Conference, WWAY TV All-Region, NCPreps 2A All-State, team MVP…also competed in track and field as a senior. . . member of Dream Team. . .signed an athletic grant-in-aid with Campbell University…undecided about major and career choice. . . his grandmother  is his role model. . . favorite pro athlete is Kevin Durant. . . says “Having the opportunity to play in the East-West All-Star Game is a great honor.  To be able to compete against some of the best players in the state is exciting and hopefully an experience I will cherish for a lifetime.”

Josh Mellette

Josh. . . Southern Lee High…6-5, 175…forward…coached by Gaston Collins…as senior, averaged 20 points, 18 rebounds, 5 blocks…named All-Conference, All-District, team MVP, Mr. Cavalier, Most Academic Player… as junior, named All-Conference, team  Most Defensive Player, team Most Outstanding Player, Most Academic Player… as sophomore, named All-Conference, team Most Defensive Player…2^nd leading scorer in school history with over 1,000 career points… also ran track…undecided about college choice…wants to pursue a career playing in the NBA… his uncle, Charles Mellette, is his role model…favorite pro athlete is Kobe Bryant…says “It is a great honor and privilege to play in the all-star game.  I expect a great experience playing with other great athletes.”

Shi’Chee Moore

Shi’Chee…Millbrook High…5-7, 165…guard…coached by Scott McInnes … as senior, named All-Conference, team MVP…as junior, named All-Conference, team MVP…member of Christian Athletic Club…plans to attend Catawba Community College where he will major in computer engineering and business…wants to own his own computer business…his mom is his role model…favorite college athlete is Austin Rivers…favorite pro athlete is Lebron James…says that playing in the all-star game “is a great opportunity and I am very excited.  What I expect to gain from participating is a great time.”

Dominique Reed

Dominique…Garner Magnet High…6-5, 210…forward…coached by Eddie Gray…as senior, named NCPreps 4A All-State…signed an athletic grant-in-aid with Mount Olive College where he will major in accounting…undecided about career plans…his dad is his role model…favorite pro athlete is Tim Duncan.

Tyler Thayer

Tyler…Hoggard High…6-4, 170… guard….coached by Brett Queen…as senior, averaged 13.5 points, 4 rebounds…set a school record with 87 3-pointers and led team with 32 steals…named All-Conference…as junior, averaged 6 points, 3 rebounds…as sophomore, averaged 4 points, 2 rebounds…Student FCA leader for 3 years…signed an athletic grant-in-aid with UNC Pembroke…undecided about major…wants to pursue a career in basketball and then in marketing or journalism…his grandfather, Wayne Burhart, is his role model…favorite college athlete is Stephen Curry…favorite pro athlete is Kobe Bryant…says it is “an honor to be selected as one of the best players in the East and to be able to represent Hoggard High.  I’m hoping to gain experience and knowledge from the people involved this weekend.”

West Team

Justin Cousin

Justin…Graham High…6-2, 185...guard....coached by Mike Williams…as senior, averaged 25.3 points… named AP All-State, NCPreps 2A All-State, All-District, All-Region, Times-News All-Region Player of the Year, All-Conference, Conference Player of the Year…as junior, averaged 24.1 points…named Times-News All-Region, Don Amos Tournament MVP…as sophomore, averaged 22.7 points…named Times-News All-Region…scored 2,000 career points and had his #15 retired…played football as a sophomore…signed an athletic grant-in-aid with the U.S. Air Force Academy…undecided about his major…wants to be an Air Force officer…favorite college athlete is Lorenzo Brown…favorite pro athlete is Lebron James…says “I’m very excited to be playing in the all-star game. I feel accomplished and glad to be the 2^nd generation playing in this game.  My dad, Rod Cousin, played in 1984.”

Shannon Dillard

Shannon…Davie County…6-4, 200…center ... coached by Mike Absher…as senior, named All-Conference, All-District 11, Conference All-Tournament, All-Sam Moir Christmas Tournament, All-Regional Tournament, team MVP…averaged 16.6 points, 2.1 assists, 10.9 rebounds…as junior, named All-Conference, All-District 11, All-Northwest…4^thleading scorer in school history with 1,387 career points .. …plans to attend Catawba…favorite college athlete is Kobe Bryant…says “I feel great about being  able to play in the all-star game.  I’m expecting to gain more knowledge about the game.”

 Tracy Gathings, Jr.

Tracy…Ben L. Smith High…6-5, 206…forward…coached by Brian Jones…as senior, averaged 20.2 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks, 2 steals…named NCPreps 4A All-State, All-Conference, All-Area, team MVP…as junior, averaged 19.7 points, 8 rebounds…named All-Area, All-Conference, team MVP…signed an athletic grant-in-aid with Wingate University…undecided about major…wants to pursue a career in the engineering field…his mother, Natalie Trapp, is his role model…favorite college athlete is Thomas Robinson…favorite pro athlete is Kobe Bryant…says “I feel honored and blessed to be selected for such a prestigious event.  I expect to gain more knowledge of how the game is played.”

Pierre Givens

Pierre…North Rowan High…no other biographical information provided.

Nathan Jones

Nathan…Davie County High…5-11, 165....guard…coached by Mike Absher…as senior, named AP and NCPreps All-State, Northwest Player of the Year, Conference Tournament MVP, District 11 Player of the Year…as junior, named San Moir All-Tournament…5^th all-time scorer in school history…named All-Conference in football…signed an athletic grant-in-aid with Wallace State Community College where he will major in business…favorite pro athlete is Chris Paul.

Shawn Lester

Shawn…Mooresville High…6-3, 196...forward…coached by Michael Micklow…as senior, named All-Conference, All-County, County Player of the Year, Mooresville Weekly Player of the Year, team MVP…participated in NC-SC All-Star Game…as junior, named All-State, All-Conference, All-County, County Player of the Year, Mooresville Weekly Player of the Year, team MVP…as sophomore, named All-County, All-Conference, All-State, team MVP…he is the leading scorer in school history, breaking a record that stood for over 20 years…also played football…signed an athletic grant-in-aid with UNC Charlotte…undecided about major…wants to pursue a career playing pro basketball…his role model is his older brother Chris Peoples…favorite college athlete is Austin Rivers…favorite pro athlete is Lebron James…says “I find it an honor to be chosen to play in the all-star game and represent my high school and future college.  I hope to gain more knowledge to take to the next level.”

Rob Noyes

Rob…Freedom High…6-6, 200…forward…coached by Casey Rogers…as senior, averaged 17 points, 10 rebounds, 3 blocks, 1.5 assists…named NCPreps 3A All-State, All-Conference, Conference MVP, All-County, All-District, All-Region, All-Unifour… as junior, averaged 15 points, 10 rebounds 2 blocks, 1 assist… named All-Conference, All-Unifour…signed an athletic grant-in-aid with Lenior Rhyne University where he will major in business…wants to pursue a career in business management…favorite college athlete is Cody Zellor…favorite pro athlete is Lebron James…says “It is an honor to be asked to play in the all-star game, and I’m looking forward to representing my school,  teammates, coaches, and family at the game.”

Diondre Pratt

Diondre…Anson High…6-3, 180...forward…coached by Matt Sides…as senior, averaged 20 points…named District 8 Player of the year, All-Conference, CMC Holiday Classic Tournament MVP, team MVP, Anson High Male Athlete of the Year…as junior, averaged 17 points…named, All-Conference, All-CMC Holiday Classic Tournament…also played football and baseball…signed an athletic grant-in-aid with Johnson C. Smith University where he will study criminal justice…wants to pursue a career in the CIA, FBI or with CSI…his mom is his role model…favorite college athlete is Harrison Barnes…favorite pro athlete is Kobe Bryant…says “I feel honored to play in the all-star game, and I feel like it’s a chance for me to meet new players and show my skills.”

Zeb Richardson

Zeb…Ashe County High…6-8, 200…center…coached by Marc Payne…as senior, averaged 15.3 points, 10.2 rebounds, 4.7 blocks…set a single season school record for blocks…named NCHSAA All-Star, NCPreps 2A All-State, All-Regional, All-Conference, Conference Player of the Year, Winston-Salem Journal All-Northwest…as junior, named All-Conference, team Most Improved…as sophomore, named team Most Improved…named team MVP and twice named All-Conference in tennis…Gold Award recipient…NC Scholar...Beta Club regional vice president…signed an athletic grant-in-aid with Guilford College where he will major in physics…wants to pursue a career in mechanical engineering…his father is his role model…favorite college athlete is C.J. Little…favorite pro athlete is Kevin Garnett…says “It’s a great honor to be selected to play in the all-star game.  I look forward to playing against some really good players. I also hope to make my school and community proud.”

Keshun Sherrill

Keshun…West Rowan High…5-9, 165...guard…coached by Mike Gurley…as senior, named All-County, All-Conference, Conference Player of the Year…averaged 22 points, 9.1 assists…as junior, named All-County, All-Conference…averaged 19 points, 7.2 assists…as sophomore, named All-County, All-Conference…averaged 18 points, 5.3 assists…named West Rowan’s 2012 Male Athlete of the Year…signed an athletic-grant-in-aid with Augusta State…undecided about college major or career plans…his grandpa Junior Lee Carpenter is his role model…favorite college athlete is K.J. Sherrill…favorite pro athlete is Jamel Carpenter…says “I feel very honored to be playing in the all-star game. I expect to gain more knowledge of the game of basketball from all the coaches on the staff. I also look forward to having fun and getting to know all my fellow teammates on and off the court.”