By Matthew Hatfield
Correspondent

Suffolk was well represented at the Virginia High School Coaches Association All-Star Basketball games held at Christopher Newport University’s Freeman Center in Newport News on Monday. A couple of All-Southeastern District First Team selections, King’s Fork forward Zach Johnson and Nansemond River point guard Dontrell Brite, led the way for the East in a 103-84 rout of the West.

Headed to play college basketball at Army, Johnson earned MVP honors for the East team, finishing with 20 points on 8-of-14 shooting from the field and 4-for-6 from three-point range. He also collected nine rebounds and made four steals.

Johnson was the lone Division I college basketball signee to play in the game, as one other who was selected did not show and others declined to participate. Nonetheless, getting to play with and against other talented players around the state made the game meaningful for the King’s Fork standout.

“I just give all the glory and honor to God for letting me be able to come out here and play with my friends this last time,” Johnson said. “I wanted to play in this game, because it’s a really fun setting to play in, and a privilege. I love being able to meet new people, coaches, and it’s fun to come out here and showcase your talents, especially now that I have to go off to West Point soon, so this was kind of one last hurrah.”

Johnson will leave July 22 and begin basic training the following day.

Monday’s competition tested him and his East teammates early as they bolted to a seven-point lead in the first quarter, but then saw the West open the second half on a 6-0 run in the third quarter to tie the score at 50.

“I’ve got to give a lot of credit to the West guys, because they’re good, as well, and battled,” said Johnson, who used an array of skills to be effective near and away from the basket.

“Usually I’m down in the post in high school, but I wanted to show that I can play on the perimeter, as well. I have to focus more on my ball handling, because at the next level it’s going to be a lot tougher — and also getting my body bigger to be able to bang with bigger guys. Also, I’m trying to get better with my defense on the perimeter.”

Headed to Mount Olive College, a perennial Division II contender in North Carolina, Dontrell Brite made his presence felt in the backcourt for the East. It was a chance to give the fans of Hampton Roads one last glimpse of his superb quickness.

“It was a big deal to me,” he said. “It’s basically what we work for all our lives, to be in an All-Star game, and we wanted to go out there and work our hardest.”

Coming off the bench, Brite ended up with 12 points, four assists and two steals.

“I’m not sure why they didn’t start me, but I wasn’t worried about it early,” he noted. “After that, they put me in with the starting group, and it was all for the SED (Southeastern District) players, and knew we had the game.”

Being one of the smallest guys on the court didn’t faze him, either.

“I wanted to show that size doesn’t matter,” said Brite, who’s only 5-foot-9 and has used that as his motivation throughout his career. “When I play against bigger guys, I usually try to blow by them and use my handles to show that I can play against bigger. And I can score a little bit against big people.

“I know I’ve got to work harder (in college). I’m not really sure if I’m playing or not next year. If I redshirt, that’s fine with me, but I’m trying to get Freshman of the Year in the conference and that’s what I’m going to work towards next year.”

In the Girls’ VHSCA All-Star Game, Nansemond River’s Dennell Fox proved to be a factor for the East team in defeat.

Fox hustled on the defensive end of the floor, while she crashed the offensive boards and sank a fadeaway jumper midway through the third quarter. Her team inched closer before a furious West run put the game out of reach.

The West went on to win 98-75, marking their fourth win in five years in the head-to-head series. Fox posted seven points and six rebounds. She also was a perfect 3-for-3 from the free-throw line.