ALL-STAR BASKETBALL GAME : Orange County’s Best Can’t Keep Pace with L.A.’s

Granted, it was only an all-star game and the stakes were not high, except for the few players still looking for college scholarships. But the Orange County high school all-stars didn’t have the aggressiveness or the quickness to stay with their Los Angeles County counterparts Monday night.

The O.C. all-stars were beaten by Los Angeles, 106-83, at the Bren Center in an ASICS Summer Jam Game that was never close and was definitely not pretty.

Orange County shot just 33% from the floor and was four for 25 from beneath the basket, thanks mostly to the presence of Lakewood Artesia’s 6-foot-11 Avondre Jones, who is headed to USC.

Jones had five blocks, 14 rebounds and 21 points. And when he wasn’t blocking shots, he was forcing them to be changed.

“I’ve never run up against a player that tall who can play like that,” said Sonora’s Chris St. Clair, who had two of his shots sent back in his face by Jones.

St. Clair, who hit three of nine from the floor, had nine points and two turnovers.

But St. Clair wasn’t the only Orange County player to suffer through a miserable night. Mater Dei’s Marmet Williams, who’s headed for San Jose State, was three of 19 from the floor with four turnovers and six points. Terence Wilborn, his former Monarch teammate, was five of 16 for 10 points.

Orange County trailed, 46-31, at the half and never got within 15 thereafter.

Shawn Bankhead of Reseda Cleveland tied Jones for game-high scoring honors with 21 points and had 14 rebounds. Inglewood Morningside’s Stais Boseman, who will join Jones at USC next season, had 20 points, four rebounds and four steals.

“They had some athletes,” said St. Clair, who will play at Cal State Fullerton next season. “They’re just better than we are. Orange County is just not used to that style of play.”

That style St. Clair talked about--up tempo all the way--resulted in layup after layup and dunk after dunk for Los Angeles.

Estancia’s Jim Faulkner, headed for Southern Utah, was one of the few Orange County players who didn’t appear intimidated. He said most of his teammates were psyched out by the L.A. players.

“Not a lot of our players have played against people that tall and athletic,” said Faulkner, who sank two three-pointers and finished with 12 points. “I’ve played against a lot of these guys in summer leagues, but most of our guys weren’t ready for it. Marmet couldn’t buy a hoop and I think Jones had a lot to do with that.”

Mater Dei’s Chris Jackson (13 points) was the only other Orange county player in double figures.