State champs among players competing in Albany all-star weekend

ALBANY — In a state where several all-star events compete for players, one event in Albany is drawing in several top-tier players.

EJ Brown, the organizer for the Best of the Best All Star Weekend at Albany State University’s West Campus Arena, has pulled in several players who won state championships earlier this month.

“This is becoming the biggest all-star game in Georgia,” event organizer EJ Brown said. “It has gotten to that level.”

One of those participating, Warner Robins’ Jacolbey Owens, came up with one of the biggest highlights of GHSA championship week last week, beating the clock to lift his team to a state title.

The senior, who hit a fadeaway 3-pointer from the top of the key in the closing moments of the Demons’ 67-64 Class 5A title game victory over Miller Grove, is scheduled to play in Saturday night’s 8:30 p.m. senior boys game, alongside teammate Champ Dawson.

While they give the senior boys game a state championship presence, Friday’s junior boys all-star game could be the most intriguing of the weekend.

Four players from state championship teams, including three from Class 2A winner Thomasville, are scheduled to compete in the junior boys game, slated for 8:30 p.m. on Friday.

Titus Wright, Vonterrius Woolbright and Quindarious Thomas started in the Bulldogs’ 66-31 rout of Vidalia on March 7 in Macon. Woolbright scored 17 points, while Wright added 11.

A fourth Thomasville player, senior Reggie Perry, will be honored this weekend but will not play. He is scheduled to take part in the McDonald’s All-American Game on March 28 in Atlanta.

Also slated to participate in Friday’s junior game is a member of Upson-Lee’s Class 4A championship team, Zyrice Scott, who scored 14 points in the Knights’ 70-54 victory over St. Pius X at McCamish Pavilion in Atlanta.

In addition, a number of top players from the Albany area are on the all-star rosters.

“The junior game is going to be terrific,” Brown said. “We’ll have several all-region guys, 15-16 guys playing.”

Among the scheduled participants in Saturday’s 7 p.m. senior girls game is 6-foot-5 post player Giana Copeland from Johnson-Savannah, who had 12 rebounds in the Atomsmashers’ Class 3A championship victory over Greater Atlanta Christian. Alissa Jones and Kelsey Davis of Monroe, who lost to Johnson in the second round, are Albany Herald Super 6ers scheduled to participate.

Scheduled to take part in Friday’s 7 p.m. junior girls game is Karlie Jones and Javen Wimberly from GISA Class 2A champion Westwood, as well as Ashley and Ansley Whitley from GHSA Class 1A-Public runner-up Marion County. Albany Herald Super 6er Jasmine Jenkins of Westover is also on the roster.

Friday’s action begins at 5:30 p.m. with a “Community Heroes” game, followed at 7 p.m. with the junior girls game and at 8:30 p.m. by the junior boys contest.

Saturday’s slate begins at 9 a.m. with a youth cheer, dance and stomp showcase at 9 a.m., followed by elementary school games at 1:30 p.m., middle school games at 2:30 p.m. (girls) and 3:30 p.m. (boys), and ninth- and-10th grade games at 4:30 p.m. (girls) and 5:30 p.m. (boys). Senior girls and senior boys contests are scheduled for 7 and 8:30 p.m., respectively.

Admission is $15 each day, with tickets available at the door.