County boys, City girls win All-Star games

Parlier's Juan Ruelas, Central's Aujanee Armstrong are respective MVPs.

Published online on Thursday, Jun. 25, 2009

The MVP of the City/County All-Star Game stood alone at halfcourt after receiving his award plaque. Then before he could react, teammates and fans covered him in hugs and back slaps.

Parlier's Juan Ruelas, at 5-feet-7 the smallest player on the court, scored a game-high 18 points to lead County to a wild 99-97 comeback victory over City on Thursday night at Clovis North High.

"This is awesome," he said before being swamped again by fans.

In the early game, Central's Aujanee Armstrong scored 25 points as the City girls ran away from County 101-69 for a sixth consecutive victory.

County's boys rallied from a 13-point halftime deficit by heating up from beyond the arc and turning up its defense.

Before City knew it, Cheyanne Alcala's (Lemoore) two free throws gave County only its second lead at 96-95 with 1 minute, 16 seconds left. Jameal York of Edison scored on a drive to give City back the lead.

But Cougar Williams of Hanford, who finished with 10 points, put County ahead to stay with a quick transition basket, and Alcala made it a two-point game after sinking one of two free throws.

City had one last chance and, after a timeout, inbounded at halfcourt with 2.5 seconds remaining and got it into the hands of the most dangerous player on the court.

York, The Bee's Player of the Year, took the pass from Delvon Henderson in the forecourt and failed to make a move past defender Warren Moon. York was forced to pass off but too late.

"I kept telling the team to keep its composure. We just needed to fight through it," said York, who scored 16 points. "I was looking to pass and knew I only had seconds. By the time I got it off, time had expired."

County's comeback was fueled by 12 3-pointers, eight in the second half. Ruelas made three, including two late that gave County the momentum it needed to pull off the shocker over a team loaded with height, length and athleticism.

"It was our effort that did it," said Alcala, who had 10 points. "We started hitting our shots and wore them down."

York scored 14 of his 16 points in the first half. John Hedrington of Clovis East had 14 and DeAndre Medlock 14.

The play of the game came late in the first half. Central's Alton Williams drove to the basket and, instead of laying the ball in, he gently flipped it off the backboard. Medlock, seeing the play set up, swung into the lane, grabbed the ball and dunked it over two defenders to bring the crowd to its feet.

Armstrong, who's headed to Southeast Nebraska on a scholarship, was named Most Valuable Player of the girl's game. She had her way inside, powering for baskets and also scoring off the fastbreak.

This, she said, was the best high school game she ever put together.

"I've had none better," she said. "I came here knowing it was my last game. We had good team chemistry and everyone played well."

As for the MVP, it took Armstrong by surprise even though she was the most dominant player on the court.

"I wasn't expecting it," she said. "It was exciting and I had a lot of fun."

The 5-foot-9 Armstrong and 6-2 Linda Murray controlled the boards, which led to quick put-backs for points or layups off the break at the other end. Armstrong finished with eight rebounds and Murray six, as City outrebounded County 47-25.

"Their offensive rebounding and easy baskets ... they were just too much for us," County coach David Campbell of Sanger said. "Their game was tighter and they really pressured us. They were able to wheel and deal because they got all the boards."