NORTH FALLS IN 'AREA'S BEST' GAME

ESSEX -- Scott City standout basketball player Jon Beck led all scorers with 32 points Friday night in the first "Area's Best" senior all-star basketball game played at Richland High School.

But Beck and the North team lost the game 84-83.

Kelly's Jim Hulshof, who pitched seven solid innings just hours before the basketball game, missed a shot at the buzzer which would have given the North the win.

New Madrid County Central's Terrell Williams of the South was named player of the game. He scored 17 points on 8-of-10 shooting.

Cape Central's Kelly Illers was the game's second-leading scorer. He put in 19 points.

Kelly's Jason Glastetter added 10 points.

Beck, who scored 20 of the North's 33 points in the fourth quarter, was named the North's offensive player of the game. Beck, who didn't score at all in the first quarter, made four 3-pointers.

Charleston's Larry Mitchell got defensive player of the year honors for the North.

For the South, Corey Gipson's 15 points earned him offensive player of the game honors, while Portageville's Torry Saxton was named defensive player of the game.

The South led 39-28 at halftime and 57-50 going into the fourth quarter.

Saxton won the slam-dunk competition which was held during halftime of the coach's game.

Hulshof won the 3-point contest.