FAYETTEVILLE — Warren Boyd ended his career with jewelry.
Boyd, a forward from Marion, dominated inside and led the East to a 84-69 victory in the Arkansas High School Coaches Association All-Star boys basketball game Wednesday at Walton Arena. Boyd had 23 points and 13 rebounds, including 10 offensive boards, and was named the game’s MVP.
For being named MVP, Boyd will receive a ring. Boyd said the MVP ring is a worthy substitute for the state championship ring he didn’t win in his high school career.
“It’s the closest feeling to winning a state championship ring because I didn’t ever win one,” Boyd said. “To get this ring is amazing. It filled that hole for me.”
Boyd, who hasn’t decided on a college destination yet, filled the lane for the East from the opening period. Boyd had seven points in the first eight minutes - the first half was divided into three eight-minute periods to allow playing time for the 15-player rosters - and helped the East jump to a 17-11 lead.
“He was just a beast,” said West Coach Tony Davis of Clarksville. “We couldn’t keep him off the glass. We had to rebound as a team, and we had too many breakdowns.”
In the second half that allowed free substitution, Boyd collected 10 rebounds and another 16 points. The East out-rebounded the West 63-42 and outscored the West50-36 on points in the lane.
“Warren Boyd, the monster inside,” said East Coach Billy Murray of Earle. “He’s good and tough.”
The West started well, scoring the first four points, but the rest of the first half didn’t go nearly as well. The West’s last lead was 7-6 after Cedarville’s Nathan Fort converted a three-point play with 4:03 left in the first period.
The East scored the next nine points with Boyd scoring five. Boyd said he didn’t even think he was going to play after the first period because his knees had bothered him during the week.
Once he started and played well, Boyd said his knees began to feel much better.
“I felt good,” Boyd said. “I said, ‘If I feel this way, I’m going to play this way. I’m going to go after every rebound.’ ”
The second period was worse for the West, which went scoreless for 5 1/2 minutes before Fort Smith Southside’s DuShaun Rice scored. By then, the East had built a commanding 29-11 lead before Rice’s basket.
Russellville’s Grey Harris powered the East’s second period by scoring the first seven points to give his team a 24-11 lead. The East led 32-20 at the end of the second.
Murray said the second period group was his top five squad, but he waited to play them to give the players a chance to see the game develop.
“That was the difference in the ballgame,” Murray said. “We were up by [18] points and never looked back.”
The West matched the East better in the third but could not get the deficit less than 10 points. Morrilton’s Tyrone Willis made consecutive baskets to pull the West within 41-31, but Episcopal Collegiate’s Jackson Rawlings answered with a three-pointer to help the East take a 44-33 lead into halftime.
The West cut the lead to nine points in the second half but could get no closer. The East took a 71-54 lead on Boyd’s put back basket midway through the fifth period.
Sylvan Hills’ Dion Patton, who had 3 points, 3 assists and 2 steals, was named the East’s Most Outstanding Player. Charleston’s Robert Raggio was named the West’s Most Outstanding Player after scoring 9 points to go with 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals.
Sports, Pages 26 on 06/21/2012