By JOHN WILBERT/Sports Writer

CLINTON – The South finally got past the North.

For the first time since 2003, the South defeated the North in the Mississippi Association of Coaches All-Star girls basketball game, and it did so in impressive fashion.

Behind Kendra Grant’s 17 points and Gelese Lampton’s 15, the South blew out the North 84-64 on Saturday afternoon at Mississippi College’s A.E. Wood Coliseum.

“Even though it didn’t go our way, I really had fun,” said Pontotoc High’s Rhandi Ball, who scored six points in defeat. “Everybody gave their all.”

Ball hit a 3-pointer towards the end of the first half to cut the South’s lead to eight, 38-30, and that was the closest the North would get the rest of the way.

“I think it was all right,” Ball said of her performance. “I probably could have played a little better.”

With LSU coach Van Chancellor in attendance, along with many other college coaches, Ball and the rest of the all-stars had center stage to put on a show.

Ball remains undecided as of now on where she will be attending school next fall.

“Hopefully, some coaches will be interested,” said Ball, who will be entering her senior year at PHS, “because I’ll try to play hard.”