Hoover Duo Leads Alabama to 91-85 Victory in Mississippi All-Star Classic

MOBILE, AL – Hoover High School seniors Dewayne Brown and Salim London showcased their dominance in their final high school game during the Alabama-Mississippi Classic all-star matchup at the University of South Alabama’s Mitchell Center on Saturday. Just days after leading Hoover to a perfect 35-0 season and a third consecutive Class 7A state title, the two capped their careers with another impressive performance.

Brown and London led the Alabama All-Stars to a 91-85 win over Mississippi, recording their 46th straight victory together. The win also extended Alabama’s lead in the 35-year all-star series to 19-16.

Brown, a 6-foot-10 center committed to the University of Tennessee, earned MVP honors with a commanding performance. He scored 27 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, blocked three shots, and significantly disrupted Mississippi’s offense by altering multiple attempts at the rim.

London, a 6-foot-5 guard signed with UAB, finished with a game-high 30 points. He scored efficiently, going 12-of-16 from the field and 4-of-6 from beyond the arc, while also contributing five rebounds and two assists.

Reflecting on the game, London stated, “We haven’t had a game like this since we were sophomores.”

Huntsville guard J.D. Gossett added a solid contribution with 11 points, five assists, and three steals. His highlight play came in the second half when Brown blocked a shot, leading to a fast break where Gossett delivered an electrifying behind-the-back pass to Brown for a thunderous dunk, stretching Alabama’s lead to 65-55.

Alabama flipped the game in the second half after trailing 43-41 at halftime due to a cold 1-of-12 shooting stretch from beyond the arc. Strong defense and improved rebounding turned the tide, allowing Alabama to gain control. Brown’s dominance on the boards, with five rebounds early in the half, and the dynamic playmaking of the Hoover duo fueled Alabama’s comeback.

Mississippi’s top contributors included Mike Williams of Germantown, who scored 19 points, and Ashton Magee of South Jones and Phil Nelson of Ridgeland, both adding 16 points each. Nelson, who recorded three assists and four steals, was named Mississippi’s MVP. Mississippi was coached by Lorenzo Wright of Pascagoula.

For Alabama, Jacobe Whitted of McAdory provided key support on the glass, leading the team to a 52-38 rebounding advantage.

Coached by Charles Burkett of Central-Phenix City and Kirk Norris of Georgiana, the Alabama All-Stars’ teamwork and defensive play in the second half proved decisive, securing another thrilling chapter in the storied Alabama-Mississippi Classic series.

FEATURED IMAGE: Hoover’s Dewayne Brown, Alabama’s All-Star Game MVP, slams a dunk on an amazing feed from guard J.D. Gossett of Huntsville for two of his 27 points. (AHSAA PHOTO | David Holtsford)