NFL stars can't save McLegends

Updated: April 25, 2011 6:22AM

As far as Antwaan Randle El is concerned, the youngsters were simply due.

"We've got to let them win sometime," the Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver said after the High School Boys All-Stars' 123-122 overtime victory in Saturday's McLegends X. "We won five in a row, but today we couldn't hit the broad side of a barn in the first half and we came up a bit short."

Despite the loss, it was a special day for Randle El and the seven other former Thornton players who returned to the Harvey school to play for the Coca-Cola McLegends.

"I've played in this game in a lot of other venues," said Randle El, who scored 12 points on 4-of-14 shooting from the field and 4-of-8 from the line. "It's always fun, but having it back at home was special. It was great."

"This was all about all of us coming out and showing our love and support for Harvey and our high school," added Houston Texans defensive end Tim Jamison, who scored four points.

The Thornton contingent got help from a pair of NFL standouts who made surprise appearances after not being on the original roster.

Randle El's teammate, running back Rashard Mendenhall, played sparingly and did not score, but Bears cornerback D.J. Moore was a big contributor.

Moore went 6-of-10 from the field for 15 points and displayed a strong jump shot and a slashing ability to the basket.

"This was a lot of fun," Moore said. "It was good to get out here and just run around and have a good time. We really should have won the game, though. We just didn't play as hard as the kids."

In the end, the young generation of Thornton standouts helped the All-Stars prevail. The seven Wildcats seniors combined for 70 points, with Thornton's Dimitrius Hardwick scoring 23 in earning Most Valuable Player honors.

"Those Thornton kids really stepped up late," Jamison said. "I was proud of them."

Randle El also was impressed with his alma mater's all-stars. As he signed postgame autographs, he shared his wishes for their futures.

"I want to see all those guys go on and have great success in basketball," he said. "What I really want, though, is to have all them all come back here with college degrees. That's the most important thing."

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