Video: Kearney, Anderson, the latest on Gibson
FERNDALE, Mich. - Future Spartans squared off on Friday night as Brandan Kearney and Dwaun Anderson were on opposite benches for the first annual Under Armour All-Michigan All-Star Game.
The East Team led by Kearney, Percy Gibson, Jalen Reynolds, Carlton Brundidge hung on for a 112-108 win over the West Team headlined by Anderson, Tommie McCune, Trey McDonald, and LaDontae Henton.
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Anderson scored 18 points for the West All-Stars. The duo of Anderson and McCune took the game over in the fourth quarter and nearly erased a 20-point deficit.
"I had to let it come out a little bit at the end," explained Anderson. "We wanted to come back and win."
For many of the fans in the stands, Friday night's all-star game was the first time they had seen Anderson play.
"It is always fun to come down and play against the best competition in the state," said Anderson. "I just came out and played my hardest and put on a show."
The 6-foot-4 future Spartan felt that it was important for him to play in the game for another reason.
"I wanted to come down and prove myself," said Anderson. "A lot of people were doubting, saying I wasn't worthy, that I wasn't Mr. Basketball and everything. So it was kind of a big thing for me to come down and play."
Gibson and Kearney combined for 22 points in the win. Kearney registered a double-double in the victory with 12 points and as many assists.
"It was fun to have some competing going on and at the same time to have some fun," said Kearney. "I am glad that they put it together and I am glad that it turned out this way. It was fun playing with all of these great players."
The West All-Stars jumped out to an early 20 point lead in the first half. The East All-Stars closed the gap before the break before using a third-quarter run to build a big lead.
"We had to get the upset," Gibson said. "Everybody was rooting for the West it seemed in the beginning. I knew that we were going to make a comeback in the second half. We had to go out and get it."
Gibson looking at all his options
Last Monday [DB]Percy Gibson[/db] and LaDontae Henton were released from their letters of intent by the University of Dayton.
Both players signed with the Atlantic 10 program to play for then head coach Brian Gregory. Gregory was hired as the head coach at Georgia Tech following his eighth season as head coach of the Flyers.
Gibson is still open to re-signing with Dayton, but he plans on taking a handful of visits before making a final decision.
"It is all wide open right now," explained Gibson. "I am not 100 percent sure what I am going to do with any school. I am going to take a couple of visits and see other campuses. I am still open to go back to Dayton. It is just that I am not sure yet."
Illinois, Clemson, Virginia Tech, and Iowa State have all been in contact with Gibson since he was released from his letter of intent by Dayton. Michigan State has also shown interest in the 6-foot-8 power forward.
Michigan State's level of interest in Gibson is unclear. Gibson is one of the most improved players in the state of Michigan in the Class of 2011 and the Spartans might have room for a front court player after Garrick Sherman left the program unexpectedly following the 2010-2011 season.
When asked if he would like to see an extra person added to the current class, Kearney said, "Oh Yeah. We know who that is don't we? Probably Percy Gibson, put that together and we've got some Final Fours set up for sure."
Under Armour All-Star Game 2011 from SpartanMag on Vimeo.