Duke duo draws crowd at ACC/Crossfire All-Star game

Doors to Reynolds' gym swung open a couple of minutes before 5 p.m. Saturday.

In a matter of seconds, Kyle Singler and Nolan Smith were swarmed by autograph seekers.

The two Duke basketball stars signed for close to an hour and then had plenty of dexterity left to entertain a capacity crowd at the annual ACC All-Star/Crossfire game.

"It means a lot to come to small cities like this that we don't get to visit all the time," Smith said.

"Not everyone from Asheville can get to Durham to see us play in person. We just want to go out there, play hard and have fun, just like it was an ACC game."

Smith scored Saturday's first basket off a steal and the ensuing layup by the reigning ACC Player of the Year. But Crossfire eventually won the game, 116-113.

Singler and Smith were named the Blue Devils' co-most valuable players Friday during Duke's postseason awards banquet.

"(Friday) was definitely an emotional night," Smith said.

"We were saying farewell, so there was some sadness. But there was also a lot of joy because this team accomplished so much."

Even with Buncombe County Schools on spring break, Reynolds athletic director Larry Brow said there had been a buzz all week with the anticipated arrival of the ACC All-Stars, particularly Singler and Smith.

"People have been texting me and calling me all week asking about tickets," Brow said.

"The ACC guys don't come up this way much, so when they do, it's a big deal to a lot of people."

College basketball fans also got one last chance to marvel at the freakish athleticism of UNC Asheville dunk machine John Williams.

Williams suited up for Crossfire on Saturday and an alley-oop slam at the 4:15 mark of the first half drew loud cheers. The forward said he has been traveling to Greenville, S.C., three times a week for workouts in preparation of upcoming camps for NBA and overseas teams.

Williams was instrumental in leading the Bulldogs to the NCAA tournament for the second time last month.

"There were a lot of moments that I'll never forget," Williams said.

"I haven't really had time for it all to set in. With all the schoolwork I've had to make up and the workouts, I haven't really had to think about it all. Maybe after it's all done, I'll get a chance."

And was Williams in any way intimidated about going up against any of the ACC All-Stars?

"The way we're taught at UNCA is to not be afraid of anyone," Williams said.