GREENSBORO, N.C. (WHKY) – Two of the Hickory Metro’s top graduating seniors closed out their high school basketball careers Monday night by representing the area in the annual North Carolina Coaches Association East-West All-Star Game, with Maiden graduate Khiara Culliver leading the local contingent in the West’s narrow 85-82 loss to the East at the Novant Health Field House in Greensboro.

Culliver turned in one of the West’s top offensive performances, scoring 13 points on 6-of-10 shooting in 22 minutes, 24 seconds. She also grabbed eight rebounds, including five on the offensive glass, while adding an assist, two steals and five blocked shots in an impressive all-around effort.

Alexander Central graduate Meredith Wike also represented the Hickory Metro after receiving a late addition to the West roster just a week before the game. Wike made the most of her opportunity, scoring four points on 2-of-4 shooting while pulling down six rebounds in 16 minutes, 40 seconds. She also recorded an assist and blocked two shots.

Culliver and Wike were the only players from the Hickory Metro selected to participate in this year’s girls showcase, which features many of North Carolina’s top graduating seniors in their final high school competition.

The East rallied for the three-point victory behind balanced scoring, overcoming a one-point deficit entering the fourth quarter. The teams combined for an entertaining contest that featured just one lead change and two ties before the East secured the 85-82 win.

For Culliver and Wike, the game marked the final chapter of standout high school careers, giving both players the opportunity to represent their schools and the Hickory Metro on one of North Carolina’s biggest all-star stages.

On the boys side, recent Hickory High School graduate Jace Blocker wrapped up his prep basketball career Monday night by representing the Hickory Metro in the annual North Carolina Coaches Association East-West All-Star Game, helping the West edge the East 102-101 at the Novant Health Field House in Greensboro.

Blocker, the Hickory Red Tornadoes’ standout post player, played 17 minutes, 18 seconds and finished with one point, nine rebounds and a blocked shot. Eight of his nine rebounds came on the defensive end as he helped the West control the glass in the one-point victory.

The West overcame a 63-44 halftime deficit by outscoring the East 58-38 over the final two quarters. Braylon Taylor of Salisbury paced the West with 28 points, while ExZavier Young of North Mecklenburg added 16. Will Seward led the East with 22 points.

Blocker was the lone Hickory Metro player selected for this year’s boys showcase, which annually brings together many of North Carolina’s top graduating seniors for one final high school competition. He earned his roster spot following a standout senior season at Hickory, where he helped lead the Red Tornadoes and established himself as one of the area’s top interior players.

The victory capped Blocker’s high school career on a winning note, giving the Hickory graduate the opportunity to represent both his school and the Hickory Metro on one of the state’s premier all-star stages.

Tuesday night, the East-West All-Star boys soccer game will be held. Josue Macias of Newton-Conover, Joel Briones of West Caldwell will be led on the west squad by coach Thomas Clark of West Caldwell High School.