Battler Recruits Shine at WV North vs. South All-Star Game

Two Alderson Broaddus University men's basketball recruits were named last month to the prestigious West Virginia North vs. South All-Star basketball game held annually at the South Charleston Community Center in South Charleston, WV. Neither first-team all-state player disappointed the sold out crowd with their play. Both players ended up walking away with some individual hardware for their performances in the contest. Even though they will be wearing gold and blue next season, DeAundra Murphy and Austin Upton were on separate teams last night. Murphy who played his high school basketball at Huntington St. Joseph's represented the South team. Upton played his high school basketball for Philip Barbour HS and was on the North team.

Austin Upton started things off before the game by winning the 2017 individual free throw

competition title. He started out the free throw competition by hitting 9 of 10 free throws. Upton would win the competition in the sudden death round to take home the plaque. He didn't stop there. During the game, Austin scored 10 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in helping the North team to a 108-105 overtime victory. He was one of four players for the North squad to score in double-figures for the evening.

DeAundra Murphy showed his talents during the game by leading all scorers on the evening. His play was impressive as he showed the ability to be a stat-sheet stuffer. For the evening, Murphy scored 25 points, grabbed 7 rebounds, dished out 6 assists, had 3 steals and threw down 2 dunks. He was named the 2017 South team Most Valuable Player. DeAundra hit several key shots during the second half that either put his team in the lead or helped his team tie the game.

Both players were noted for their play by the Charleston GazetteMail, the Huntington Herald-Dispatch and the Clarksburg Exponent. It was a fitting end as each player ended their highly successful high school careers.