Stars collide

Chris Moore, a 6-6 forward from West Memphis, and Jaylin Williams, a 6-10 post player from Fort Smith Northside, are drawing plenty of attention from college coaches, including the University of Arkansas. They will meet today at the John Stanton Classic in Conway.

Two highly regarded juniors from opposite sides of the state will square off against each other in today’s John Stanton Classic in Conway.

Chris Moore, a 6-6 forward from West Memphis, and Jaylin Williams, a 6-10 post player from Fort Smith Northside, are drawing plenty of attention from college coaches, including the University of Arkansas.

Northside Coach Eric Burnett says Williams has earned the attention.

“You can’t coach 6-10,” Burnett said. “He gets out on the press. He makes moves around the basket. He’s a good passer. I can see where college coaches would really like to have him because they can put some weight on him and make him stronger.”

Moore sports an impressive resume. He was the All-Arkansas Preps Sophomore of the Year last season, leading the Blue Devils to a 29-4 record and to a state championship appearance.

“In our last six games, each team we’ve played has had a quality player,” Burnett said. “This is nothing new for us and we like to see it. We’re working on getting better and getting our chemistry together.”

Northside (6-3) is coming off a consolation-tournament finish in Blue Springs, Mo., last weekend. In a 71-55 victory over Jefferson City, Mo., in the fifth-place game, the Grizzlies had four players score 10 or more points, including 24 from senior point guard Javion Releford.

Williams