West thumps East in All-Star battle

HAMPTON -- Deidre Richardson sat solemnly on the bench, donning her West All-Star jersey but also sporting sandals rather than sneakers.

She was seated next to her Forest Park coach, Rebecca Tillett, talking basketball and strategy, quietly yearning to take the floor in the Virginia High School Coaches Association All-Star Game Tuesday held at the Hampton Coliseum.

Richardson was still unavailable for game action after injuring her left knee in the high school state playoffs and undergoing surgery to repair the ACL bone contusion she suffered.

Missing the 97-53 West victory hurt almost as much as when she couldn't play in the Bru-ins' state championship game earlier this year.

"The state final was tough, especially losing like we did," Richardson said. "This was a little better since we won -- it's been a while since the West won one of these.

"But I've missed some other all-star games before, too," she added. "I guess I'm not meant to play all-star games."

The 5-foot-8, George Mason-bound guard said she thinks she will be ready by next winter for her first Division-I college season with the Patriots and will not likely redshirt her freshman year, but needed the rest of the summer off for recuperation.

"I know it's disappointing for her, but it still speaks to her character that she's here supporting the other players from our area," said Tillett, who had never coached a VHSCA All-Star team before yesterday.

Richardson said she will see doctors today to determine her progress from the surgery and re-hab.

"It depends on how my physical therapy has gone and how strong (the doctor) thinks my knee has gotten," she said. "I'm getting there -- I've got almost full-range back."

Richardson was joined on the West team by not only her former coach at Forest Park, but also teammate Amber Epps, who is heading to Mason in the fall as well.

"I'm (living) at Mason already, but I haven't played there, yet," said Epps, who scored seven points in the game. "I've been at the open gyms but ha-ven't played with the team. I think I'll be ready, though."

Ariana Moorer, formerly of Hylton, also played in the exhibition, which was the final high school game for the Prince William seniors. Moorer, who will play with Monica Wright at Virginia next year, also scored seven points off the bench for the West.

"I realized this is it -- this is the last time I'm going to play with this great group of girls," Moorer said. "Now I'll be playing with (and against) bigger, stronger, bionic girls. It's a little scary at first."

Moorer said she was sad that her high school career was over but excited about the possibilities that come with playing in the Atlantic Coast Conference and with a player like Wright.

"I've thought about it a little bit," Moorer said, laughing. "I feel good about playing with her. I can just give her the ball and let her take over. She can do whatever she wants with it."

Wearing a red East jersey opposing the three Group AAA players was Brentsville graduate Kimmy Hopkins. The 5-10 shooting guard was the first PWC player to reach the court in the game as a reserve and finished the evening with just one point, but enjoyed the experience.

"It was a great honor to play with all the best girls in the state," Hopkins said. "I couldn't have asked for anything better."

Now Hopkins is looking forward to playing Division III basketball at Christopher Newport Univer-sity. Hopkins said she made the decision to play for CNU about a month ago based on the fact that the school has a good business tract, the campus life and one other factor.

"It's close to the beach," she said smiling. "That was one of them. I'm very excited to play there."