Gaston County shut out of East West football

It's been a while since a Gaston County player didn't suit up in the East-West All-Star football game.

Since 2002 to be exact.

But that will be the case again this summer as Gaston County finds itself shut out of the 60th annual all-star game for fresh high school graduates.

The county will be absent for only the second time in the past 16 years when the game kicks off July 23 in Greensboro. Since 2002, Gaston County has sent 11 athletes to the game from a total of four schools.

Last year, Ashbrook's Patrick Hall, East Gaston's Michael McDowell and South Point's Matt Mitchell played in the game for West head coach John Devine of South Point.

This past year's crop of seniors in Gaston County was full of talent, with 14 of them signing to play collegiate football next season.

Lincoln County was also left off the roster for the 12th consecutive year. The last Lincoln County player in the East-West game was Lincolnton's Jeremy Morrison in 1996.

The 32-player West roster features two AP all-state selections, defensive back Justin Avery of West Rowan and a UNC Pembroke signee, and offensive lineman Casey Augustine of Watauga.

Larry McDonald, a defensive tackle from Orange High School and a Florida State University signee, leads the East team.

The East won last year's game 22-14, but the West leads the overall series 35-23-1.

The football roster was the last of the three East-West sports to be released.

Gaston County will be well represented in both basketball games. Forestview's Jessica Capers and East Gaston's Cameron Sealey made the girls' West team while Cherryville's Cameron Lovelace and Hunter Huss' Jamere Pagan were selected for the boys' West team coached by Ashbrook's Marty Hatchell.

No area player or coach will participate in the soccer games.

You can reach Phillip Gardner at 704-869-1843.