Asheboro’s Stanback to miss N.C. East-West All-Star Game

ASHEBORO – Jerquarius Stanback of Asheboro won’t play in next week’s North Carolina East-West All-Star Game because of an injury stemming from late in the basketball season.

Stanback, an Appalachian State signee, is dealing with a wrist injury that might require surgery, Asheboro coach Brian Nance said.

“He fell in that playoff game and just landed on it,” Nance said. “There’s something in the wrist.”

Stanback was injured in a violent tumble during a first-round game of the Class 3A state playoffs vs. visiting Carson. He suffered a concussion and other ailments and missed Asheboro’s second-round loss to Asheville Reynolds.

Nance said Stanback, a 6-foot-7 forward, was sidelined for nearly two months before resuming workouts in late April. He had been wearing a wrist brace.

“Then in June it started bothering him again,” Nance said, leading to an examination last week when it was determined he’ll miss the N.C. East-West Game.

Stanback ranks as one of the top players in Asheboro’s history. He’s the first boys’ basketball player for the Blue Comets to sign with a Division I team in 34 years, Nance said.

“In my 18 years, he’s obviously the best,” Nance said. “He was kind of a do-it-all player and he became a good leader.”

He averaged 25 points and 11 rebounds per game as a senior, when the Blue Comets went 23-4 and won the Mid-Piedmont Conference Tournament.

Stanback was one of 10 players selected to represent the West team in the all-star event Monday night in Greensboro. Nance said the player had plans to report to Appalachian State later this month.

By Bob Sutton