FALLON, Nev. ” In an all-star basketball game showcasing Northern Nevada’s top talent, the only 2A player on the court proved she could hold her own ” and a little more ” against her large-school counterparts.

North Tahoe senior Kelly Hester played all 32 minutes of the Fallon Optimist All-Star game Tuesday night, tallying six points, six rebounds, five assists and one steal in a well-rounded performance.

“She really played well,” said Lakers head coach Scott Conn, who attended the game. “I think ” and this is completely biased on my part ” that she was the premier defensive player on the floor. She really, really took it to ’em.”

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Conn said his senior point guard, who was voted Most Valuable Player of the Northern 2A this past season, switched off between her normal position and shooting guard. She played on the East team, or blue team, coached by Carson’s Todd Ackerman.

Because several players did not to show up, the East team arrived with only seven players. The West team, coached by Debbie Hellen of Damonte Ranch, had only three players show up. To solve the issue, two of the blue players switched to white jerseys, and the game was on.

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When it was over, the West all-stars came out on top, 61-57, after a seesaw battle from the opening tip.

Conn said the difference in the game was three long-range, buzzer-beater shots put in by the West squad. He said two of the 3-point shots were launched from half-court, while the third was about 5 feet beyond NBA 3-point range.

Morgan Thacker of Lowry led the West with 18 points on three 3-pointers, while Jayme King of Fernley also hit three 3-pointers and had 12 points. Brandi Vega of Carson had the hottest hand, draining six 3-pointers and scoring a game-high 28 points for the East.

” Larry Barker of the Lahontan Valley News contributed to this report