By By SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Star
SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Dedicating themselves to playing team basketball in the second half, the West squad pulled away to a 80-64 victory in the McDonald's All-American game.
Neither squad played well in the opening half and were tied at 28.
But during halftime, the West stars pulled together and outscored the East squad 52-36 to pull away.
Most Valuable Player Courtney Paris led the way for the West with 16 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks in 21 minutes of play.
While Paris, who is the daughter of former University of Michigan and San Francisco 49ers standout Bubba Paris, was the star she got plenty of help.
Alexis Gray-Lawson finished with 12 points, while Abigail Waner and Courtney's twin sister Ashley Paris both finished with nine and eight points respectively.
Erika Arriaran added seven points and four assists. Ashley Paris, who will attend Oklahoma with her, also grabbed eight rebounds as did Kirsten Thompson, who added five points.
Game-high scoring honors went to the East's Marissa Coleman with 19. Carrem Gay added 12 points, while Rashanda McCants, whose brother is a member of the North Carolina Tar Heels, finished with seven points.
Notre Dame bound Lindsay Schrader finished with nine points, three rebounds and an assist.
Lansing's Tiffanie Shives, who will attend Michigan State in the fall, finished with three points and four rebounds.