TYRESE HARRIS

ORE CITY – A power outage during this weekend’s storms caused a last-minute relocation of Saturday’s Hoops for Autism All-Star Basketball Games from Union Grove High School to Ore City High School, but East Texas boys and girls hoopers still made the most of the opportunity to hit the court one more time during the 2024-2025 school calendar.

The boys launched the basketball doubleheader during the afternoon, and the Red Team pulled away early for a dominant 94-59 win against the Blue Team.

The girls followed with a more competitive outing that evening, and the Red Team earned a hard-fought 57-48 win against the Blue Team.

“It was a unique year because of the weather and how we had to change gyms within four hours of the [first] game,” said Hoops for Autism organizer and Tenaha athletic director and head boys basketball coach Dee Lewis. “The great thing about East Texas basketball coaches is you’ve got those relationships. When you’re starting to stress a little bit, things still happen and you’re good to go.”

Hoops for Autism began its near-annual tradition in 2018, took a temporary break for COVID-19 in 2020, and hosted its seventh all-star event on Saturday. Once again, this year’s profits will help individuals dealing with autism.

“For the seventh year, I thought it was a success,” said Lewis.

“Every year, we grow stronger,” he added. “At the door, we take donations. At the end of this week, we donate everything we get to Dallas children’s hospitals. It helps families out with autism, gets them to the doctor or hotels, [and helps them afford] medicine or anything they need.”

Saturday’s opener featured a victorious Red Team boys roster of Ore City guard Anton Blaudeck, Ore City center Eneko Franco, Chapel Hill forward Jordyn Bradshaw, Union Grove forward Jace Roberts, Beckville guard JT Smith, Gary guard Mason Powell, Crockett guard Jayvon Bedford, Paris guard Chase Dixon, and Shelbyville guards Ja’Davian Mathis and DJ Barnes. They were directed by head coach Colton Wager of Shelbyville and assistant coaches Ken Webb (Ore City) and Jay Turnipseed (Mount Pleasant).

“I’m so happy to be here,” Blaudeck said of his all-star game opportunity on Saturday. “It was fun. It was a great game.”

The Blue Team boys, meanwhile, leaned on Lindale forward Davis Carnathan, Sabine guard Hudson McNatt, Overton guard Bryce Still, Martin’s Mill guard Jak Kinder, Tyler HEAT guards Eli Anderson and Waker Hartman, Hawkins’ forward Derek Hollman, Liberty-Eylau guard Tyrese Harris, and Tenaha guard Brikelian Kenney. They played for a Tyler HEAT trio of head coach Ryan Tomlin and assistant coaches Terry Shelton and Lincoln Phillips.

“We gave it our all,” Harris said of his Blue Team’s effort on Saturday. “We slacked on the boards, so that’s what brought us down. But, it was fun overall.”

Saturday’s finale featured a victorious Red Team girls roster of Pine Tree guard Aaliyah Oliver, Tatum guards Aundrea Bradley and Kaleigh Hooker, Tyler Legacy guard Shanaya Shaw, Chapel Hill guard R’Nyah Tomlinson, Hawkins’ guard Taetum Smith, Pittsburg guard Randieunna Jeffery, Union Grove forward Taylor Campbell, Lovelady guard Lexi Price, and Hooks’ guard Anna Beth Black. They were guided by a Tatum duo in head coach Patricia Nelson and assistant coach Jaime Scott.

“It was very special being a part of this,” said Oliver. “I’m a senior, so this is going to be my last time playing [high school basketball]. And it’s my first all-star game, so it was very exciting.”

The Blue Team girls, meanwhile, consisted of Tyler All Saints Episcopal School guard Kayla De Campos, Gilmer forward Makyah Jimmerson, Hawkins’ post Alaya Scoggins, Chapel Hill guard Necie Johnson, Tyler Legacy forward Senoj Jones, Jefferson guard Jordyn Davidson, Tenaha guard Kaedynce Cox, and Liberty-Eylau guard Brooklynn Garner. They competed for a Tenaha duo in head coach Darvin Peterson and assistant coach Brittany Cox.

“It was super special seeing everyone come as a community and support people like that,” De Campos said of everyone’s role in raising awareness for autism at Saturday’s game. “It was great getting to play for something that’s bigger than I am, meet people from different walks of life, hoop out there, and play the game that we love.”