FAYETTEVILLE — Melissa Wolff admitted to feeling some pressure when she stepped on the Bud Walton Arena floor Wednesday.
The future Arkansas Razorback wanted to make a good first impression in front of fans, and the Arkansas High School Coaches Association Girls Basketball All-Star Game was her chance to get off to a good start on her future home court.
Safe to say Wolff passed Wednesday’s test with flying colors.
Helping the East All-Stars get off to a quick start in the first quarter and then sparking a late burst in the end, Wolff — a 6-foot-1 guard/forward from Cabot — earned Most Valuable Player honors in the game in a 75-59 East win over the West in Bud Walton Arena.
“I’ve just been really blessed,” Wolff said. “I had great coaches, I had a great team here and all of the players were a lot of fun, and this was just the best way to end my high school season.”
Wolff, who helped Cabot to the Class 7A state championship back in March, chose Arkansas over North Texas and Arkansas State. She finished with nine points, six rebounds and two blocked shots Wednesday.
“Melissa Wolff is a special player,” East coach Rusty Garner, of Harding Academy, said. “I had a chance to coach against her this year and all four of us coaches here this week agreed we were awfully lucky to coach her, even if it was just for four days.
“She’s a great player, she comes from a great program. I wish I had more adjectives for her, but Melissa Wolff, she’s special.”
Block Party
The East blocked 12 shots in a 75-59 victory at the Arkansas High School Coaches Association Girls Basketball All-Star Game Wednesday in Bud Walton Arena. Ten of the blocks came in the first half as the East built a 35-31 lead.
In the second half, the West was just 5-of-29 from the field as the East pulled away. West assistant coach Kevin Ramey said the early blocks played a part in the second-half shooting woes.
“Any time that happens to you, it is always in the back of your mind that it’s going to be blocked,” Ramey said. “We also didn’t shoot it well in a big arena, but that is to be expected. We did get some good looks. Some went down, but some didn’t.”
Staff Writer Paul Nielsen contributed to this report.