All-Star Closer

The Third Annual Rim Rattler All-West Camp ended with not one, but three All-Star games. A vote determined the top 75 players, who were then split up to form six teams. The first game featured players 51 through 75, the second players 26 through 50 and the third the top 25 players in the camp.

The Black team won the Top 75 game, 93-81, with Centennial High (Corona, Calif.) forward and senior-to-be David Sybesma leading the way with 20 points. The White team was led by Hamilton High (Chandler, Ariz.) guard and senior-to-be Tyler Nitsche, who had 16 points.

The White team won the Top 50 game, 73-51, behind Dominguez High (Compton, Calif.) guard and senior-to-be Steve Moore, who scored 23 points.

The Black team won the Top 25 game, 112-96.

Dominating Dons

The Dominguez High (Compton, Calif.) Dons, the 1999-2000 SchoolSports.com national champions, were well represented at the Rim Rattler Camp. Moore and 6-foot-2 guard and junior-to-be Keion Kindred both played in the Top 50 All-Star game, with Moore leading his team in scoring and Kindred throwing down two thunderous alley-oop slams. Forwards Darius Sanders (6-foot-5) and Bobby Jones (6-foot-6), both juniors-to-be, played in the Top 25 game, with Sanders leading his team in scoring with 26 points and Jones scoring 10 points, included two spectacular dunks, for the victorious Black team.

The only Don starter not in attendance at the Rim Rattler was 7-foot center and senior-to-be Tyson Chandler, who was attending the Nike camp in Indianapolis, Ind., this week. Chandler is expected to be a lottery pick if he decides to enter the NBA draft next year.

"We're going to be real good next year," said Jones of the Dons. "I know people don't have us ranked No. 1 (in the nation) this year, but I don't think we'll lose a game."

Home is Where the Heart Is

More than 100 college scouts and coaches lined the court during the All-Star games, most relaying details about prospects on their cell phones. One of the observers was University of Saint Louis head coach and California native Lorenzo Romar. Romar, who was an assistant coach at UCLA and a head coach at Pepperdine before taking the Billikens job, was happy to back in his hometown.

"It's always good to be back," said Romar with a grin.

Comic Relief

One of the highlights of the All-Star games was public address announcer Patrick Pratt, a 26-year-old stand-up comedian and impressionist whose stage name is "Straaw." Pratt provided a running commentary throughout all three games, lauding competitors on great plays and chastising those who screwed up. He also mimicked music that you would expect a stadium organ player to come up with and, during the breaks, did some dead-on impressions of Michael Jordan, Mike Tyson and Shaquille O'Neal.

The Mustard's off the Hot Dog

Two of the most exciting players in the Top 25 game were Westchester High (Los Angeles, Calif.) point guard and junior-to-be Jason McKinney and St. Augustine High (San Diego, Calif.) forward and senior-to-be Floyd North.

McKinney dazzled the crowd with an array of no-look passes and wild dribbling. He also showed that he could put the ball in the hoop by scoring inside on a couple of nice drives to the basket and hitting a big 3-pointer late in the game.

North scored 24 points for the losing White team. At least half of his points came on dunks, including a spectacular coast-to-coast drive in the first half that gave the White its final lead. North also showed a nice shooting touch, hitting a clutch 20-footer in the second half.