Boys Basketball: Devonte Smith paces South/Central squad at Luther Bedford Classic

Updated: April 14, 2012 9:09PM

If any college coaches aren’t done with their recruiting, all they have to do is grab a tape of Saturday’s Chicago Public League Basketball Coaches Association Luther Bedford All-Star Classic and save themselves some gas money.

The South/Central team surprised a North/West team squad led by Marshall’s Milton Doyle and Farragut’s Rashaun Stimage 95-90 Saturday at Young.

It was a competitive game throughout with the largest lead being nine points by either team. The North/West went ahead 47-45 heading into the half on a dunk by Stimage.

The South/Central reclaimed the lead at 56-53 on a three-pointer from the top of the key by Vocational’s Robert Hurd.

Trailing 89-84 late in the second half, the North/West tied the score at 89-89 with 1:40 remaining on a three-pointer by Milton Doyle. But Hurd closed it out for the South/Central with a 15-footer and four consecutive free throws.

“We knew the type of team that we were up against, but we also knew the type of talent that we had on our team. We didn’t want to leave out on our senior year knowing that we did not give it everything we had,” Hurd said.

Several committed prospects shined throughout the game including Bogan forward Devonte Smith, who had a team-high 18 points and eight rebounds and Simeon guard Reggie Norris who had 13, along with Hurd who finished with 12.

Smith said the game was a way of him getting in the right frame of mind to let any colleges know that he has the ability to play on the next level. “My coaches told me all season about bringing it to every game,’’ Smith said. ‘‘It took me a while to realize how important it is to bring your ‘A’ game every time you get on the floor.’’

Doyle, the ex-Florida International recruit who opened his recruiting since the firing of head coach Isiah Thomas, had 20 points, seven rebounds and six assists.

“We wanted to have fun. It would have been a lot better if we had got the victory,” Doyle said. “I thought my recruiting was done, but now I am wide open trying to find the best possible fit for me at this late time.”

North Lawndale guard Devonte Jones shared scoring honors with 20 points and Florida A&M bound Willie Connor added 15.

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