The Real Deal has added a twist.
Prior to the start of the annual basketball showcase event in Little Rock this weekend, some of the most talented seniors from Arkansas and Tennessee will be on display tonight.
The Mike Conley Jr. Arkansas vs. Tennessee All-Star Classic will be played at Hall High School, and Real Deal founder Bill Ingram said he expects the border battle will become a staple in central Arkansas for years to come.
“A couple of years ago we took the idea to [Conley] and we decided that this could be something we could do every year,” Ingram said. “We hope to expand it every year. We can make this into a big deal.”
Conley Jr., who plays point guard for the Memphis Grizzlies and has strong family ties to Arkansas, agreed to partner with Real Deal in the Rock for this event to help showcase the talent in the bordering states.
University of Arkansas fans should have a high interest in the game. Razorbacks signees Trey Thompson of Forrest City and Nick Babb of Arlington (Texas) Martin will be in the lineup for the Arkansas All-Stars.
Thompson, a 6-9 post player, averaged 20 points, 12 rebounds and 4 blocked shots a game for the Mustangs, leading them to the Class 5A state title last month. Babb, a 6-4 shooting guard, led Arlington Martin to a 19-7 record.
The Arkansas All-Star roster also includes Jonesboro’s Kahron Ross, who was the MVP of the Class 6A state tournament and is a Lehigh University signee, and Daryl Macon, a 6-4guard who led Little Rock Parkview to the 6A championship game.
Ingram said the Tennessee teams are packed with players from the Memphis area but added that he hopes more of Tennessee will be represented as the event grows.
The Tennessee team will feature Ole Miss signee Markavious Hymon, a 6-7 forward, Saint Louis signee Davell Robey, a 6-5 guard, and Massachusetts signee C.J. Anderson, a 6-5 guard.
“They’re loaded,” Ingram said. “Talent-wise, [Tennessee] has got us beat hands down, but as a team, the Arkansas players may be better as a group.”
The girls game also should be competitive. The Arkansas All-Stars will feature Arkansas State signees Crystal Holloway, a 5-9 guard from Parkview, and Akasha Westbrook, a 5-9 guard from Malvern. The Tennessee roster includes Ole Miss signee A’Queen Hayes, a 5-8 guard, and Murray State signee Olivia Cunningham, a 5-8 guard.
“All of these kids were so excited when they were asked to play in this game,” Ingram said. “It’s a great rivalry between Arkansas and Memphis. It’s a different twist than what they’re used to playing.”
Boys rosters
ARKANSAS ALL-STARS
PLAYER HIGH SCHOOL COLLEGE
James Aikens North Pulaski Air Force
Nick Babb Arlington (Texas) Martin Arkansas
Josh Bowling Benton undecided
Hayden Burchfield Benton Harmony Grove Arkansas Tech
Shaquon Fletcher Mills undecided
Daryl Macon LR Parkview undecided
Kahron Ross Jonesboro Lehigh
Trent Steen Forrest City undecided
Trey Thompson Forrest City Arkansas
Dwain Whitfield Forrest City undecided
COACH Ron Brewer
TENNESSEE ALL-STARS
PLAYER HIGH SCHOOL COLLEGE
C.J. Anderson Memphis Whitehaven Massachusetts
Jaylen Barford Jackson Southside undecided
LaDarius Coleman Memphis White Station undecided
Markavious Hymon Memphis Whitehaven Mississippi
Jerry Johnson Germantown Houston undecided
Fatodd Lewis Memphis Raleigh-Egypt Tenn.-Martin
Aravius McGhee Memphis Raleigh-Egypt undecided
Keion Peoples Memphis Ridgeway undecided
Davell Robey Memphis White Station Saint
Louis Tim Shaw Germantown undecided
COACH Todd Day
Girls rosters
ARKANSAS ALL-STARS
PLAYER HIGH SCHOOL COLLEGE
Taylor Collins LR Hall Ark.-Monticello
Anquinette Dozier LR Hall State Fair CC
Crystal Holloway LR Parkview Arkansas State
Brianna Jackson Fort Smith Northside undecided
Falan Miller Central Ark. Christian Harding
Tiffany Murdock Malvern Louisiana Tech
Kierra Webb North Little Rock undecided
Akasha Westbrook Malvern Arkansas State
Angelina Williams Searcy Memphis
Lundon Williams Greenwood Arkansas Tech
COACH Celia Anderson
TENNESSEE ALL-STARS
PLAYER HIGH SCHOOL COLLEGE
Laka Blanche Memphis Whitehaven undecided
Olivia Cunningham Horn Lake, Miss. Murray State
A’Queen Hayes Horn Lake, Miss. Mississippi
Irene James Memphis undecided
Deja Jones Murfreesboro Riverdale undecided
Alise Parker Germantown Houston Providence
Shondria Scruggs Bartlett undecided
Karneisha Trent Memphis Wooddale undecided
Derica Wiggins Memphis Oakhaven undecided
Tia Wooten Memphis Central Tennessee State
COACH Tina Webb-Jackson
Real Deal All-Star Game WHEN Tonight. The girls game tips off at 6 p.m., with the boys game following at 7:30 p.m.
WHERE George Cirks Arena, Hall High School TICKETS $7
Sports, Pages 15 on 04/17/2014