Stroman caps high school career with East team’s win in All-Star Game

GREENSBORO — Nygie Stroman closed out his final high school performance with an impressive win in the 72nd North Carolina Coaches Association’s East-West All-Star Game on Monday.

The 2021 Richmond Senior High School graduate and the East team wowed over 1,500 fans inside Greensboro Coliseum, rolling past the West team 116-92.

Stroman participated in the annual event that showcases some of the most talented recent graduates from across the state. 

He was named to the team less than two weeks ago when a roster spot was made available on the 10-player East team.

Joining his East teammates for a weekend filled with high-level basketball, Stroman practiced twice with the team on Saturday. Coaches Eric Davis (Laney) and Bobby Williams (Riverside-Martin) also held a full practice on Sunday and Monday leading up to the 24-point win.

“The best part of the whole All-Star experience was being able to create new relationships with players and coaches that’ll last beyond the time there,” Stroman said. “I also enjoyed volunteering at the kids basketball camp the most.”

During the game, Stroman logged 26 minutes on the court, tied for second most on the East team. He finished the game with eight points, including a 2-for-4 performance from beyond the three-point line.

He added another field goal and used his 6-foot-7 frame to scoop up three defensive rebounds. Teammate Terquavion Smith (Farmville Central, N.C. State commit) led all scorers with 30 points and was named the game’s Most Valuable Player.

The East team was all gas and no brakes during the first 4:40 of the opening quarter, rolling to a 20-0 run. Stroman and his teammates ended the first quarter with a 39-15 lead and never looked back.

“I feel like our fast start stemmed from us keeping a hungry mindset throughout the practices and approaching it like any other game,” Stroman explained. 

“Our chemistry on the East team was great,” he added. “Every player had played with or against each other at some point before then, and we had five players who played together in AAU, so it made it that much easier for us on the court.”

Some of those familiar faces included a handful of Sandhills Athletic Conference players, all of whom Stroman has competed against the last several years during his high school career. 

They included Lumberton High School’s Matthew Locklear and Charlie Miller, as well as Pinecrest High School’s Bradlee Haskell.

The West team outscored the East squad 26-15 in the second quarter, but still trailed 54-41 at the halftime break. A close third quarter saw the East team edged the West team 27-25, before icing the game with a 37-24 run in the final period to earn the win.

Leading the West team with 20 points each were Daniel Cooper (Grimsley) and Chris Ford (North Mecklenburg).

Stroman, who is currently playing with Flight 22 as part of its post-grad program, said the All-Star experience helped him in many areas of his game. He also hopes his outing will show college coaches he has what it takes to play at the next level.

“I feel like my performance will show that I can get out on the floor and compete with the best of the best regardless of who it is,” Stroman closed. 

“We went through college style practices so that really helped me understand what to expect at the next level and now it just makes me want to work harder to get there.”