By FRED CONLEY
T-H Sports Editor
LITTLE ROCK--Little Rock Parkview's Bryson Harris ripped the nets for 27 points Tuesday night to help lead the White team to a 119-115 win over the Copper team in the second annual All-Metro Classic basketball game played at Charles Ripley Arena.
Harris, a 6-1 senior guard, provided four points in the final 21 seconds. He also had five rebounds and two steals.
The all-star contest featured the top 20 seniors from Pulaski County, and proceeds from the event will benefit P.A.R.K. (Positive Attitude Reaches Kids).
The seniors did not disappoint the crowd, connecting for 20 three-point baskets and five rim-rattling dunks. Eleven players scored 10 or more points and neither coach called a timeout.
North Little Rock's Michael Monroe chipped in 21 points for the White team.
Neither team held more than an eight-point lead at any time during the game.
Little Rock Mills Coach Tracy Allen, who led the Comets to the AAAAA-East Conference championship this season, coached the Copper team
Little Rock Central's Dalun Smith and Derek Mason combined to score 47 points for the Copper.
Smith hit four three-point field goals in the first half and finished with 26 points. He pulled down eight rebounds and had three steals for the game.
Mason scored 21 points and it was his three-pointer with 34 seconds to play in the game that got the Copper team within 115-113.
Ryan Rutherford, of Little Rock Catholic High, scored 14 points for the Copper team.
The game was about letting the players have fun and they did. Players on both teams ran the fast break, pulled up and shot when they wanted to and generally enjoyed the "no-pressure" situation the game provided.
With 14 seconds to play, Smith hit a free throw to pull the Copper within 117-114. On the inbounds play, the Copper team fouled Harris, sending the Parkview player to the line for a 1-and-1.
Harris missed the front end and Mason grabbed the rebound. Harris stripped Mason of the ball and hit a layup with nine seconds left to seal the White's victory.
The White team led 62-59 at the half.
Six of the White's 10 team members scored 10 or more points, including 13 from Little Rock Hall's Anthony Smith, 11 from Hall's Chris Staff and 10 points each from Little Rock McClellan's Raymond Shaw and Pulaski Robinson's Darrick Giles. Giles had nine rebounds.
North Pulaski's Jamal Baker added 14 for the Copper team while Carlos Merriweather of Little Rock Mills added 11 points and had 10 rebounds to record a double-double.
Little Rock Mills guard Bradley Griffin, who had seven points for the Copper team, won the halftime slam dunk contest. Merriweather led all rebounders with 10.
A year ago, in the inaugural All-Metro Classic, the White team scored a 102-85 win.
Senior Girls
White Team 70, Copper Team 59
Little Rock Hall senior Samantha Watt scored 14 points to help push the White Team to a 70-59 win over the Copper team in the second annual All-Metro Classic played Tuesday at Little Rock.
The Copper team took an early 7-3 lead using field goals by Sally Johnston, Brittany Bolin and Pam Hatcher and a free throw by Candace Boykins.
Little Rock Mills' Anita Hardin helped fuel an 11-to-5 run that pushed the Copper's lead to 18-10.
The White team began to chip away at the Copper's lead and closed within 20-19 with 5:06 left in the first half.
Little Rock Central's Myeisha Thomas hit a basket to give the White team its first lead with 4:24 remaining. But Mount St. Mary's Kristin Pruss, who had 12 points for the Copper team, answered with a field goal.
A basket by Pulaski Academy guard Katie Fortenberry gave the White team the lead again but the Copper team tied the game at 24-24 with 2:39 remaining.
An 11-to-4 run by the White team resulted in a 35-28 halftime lead.
The White team put together a 16-to-3 run and extended its lead to 51-31 with 13:47 remaining.
The Copper team trailed by 24 points but made a late charge to get within seven points with 1:23 remaining.
Three Copper team players, Hatcher, Pruss and Yusheeka Johnson, finished with 11 rebounds each.
Hatcher, who averaged 18 points a game during the season, was held to 10 points.
A year ago, the White team won the game 80-76.
Approximately 24 youths, ages 7-9 from the Forrest City area, took part in the two-day baseball clinic held Monday and Tuesday at the Forrest City Athletic Complex. Dulin's Sports Academy of Memphis provided the instructors for the clinic. The campers were taught the basics of hitting, throwing and catching.