CORAL GABLES - In a game filled with the nation's best, Kenny Boynton proved he belonged.
Boynton, a UF commit from American Heritage Plantation High, scored 10 points and had three assists, helping the East beat the West 113-110 in the 32nd McDonald's All-American Game.
The game was played in Florida for the first time, taking place at the Bank United Center on the Miami campus.
Boynton, the only in-state participant, received a standing ovation from the 5,981 fans in attendance during the lineup introductions.
"It's good to know that you have your community behind you," Boynton said.
Both coaches rotated their lineups during every TV timeout, and Boynton entered the game for the first time at the 15:28 mark.
His first appearance was uneventful, as he missed his only shot attempt and split point guard duties with Peyton Siva.
Each team played man-to-man defense, and Boynton matched up with FSU commit Michael Snaer.
The West team screened Boynton on almost every possession, helping Snaer score 13 points.
"They kept running off screens on me," Boynton said. "It made me more tired for offense."
Offensively, Boynton created his own shots, displaying ball-handling skills and a quick crossover. He looked rusty early in the game, turning the ball over on a first-half fast break, but he calmed down as the game progressed.
His best play occurred early in the second half. Snaer guarded him tightly while Boynton strung together a series of crossovers before pulling up and swishing the ball from 15 feet out.
"Snaer was guarding me and he was bumping me, (but) I just said in my mind I was going to get to the basket regardless," Boynton said.
The future Gator displayed good court vision in the second half, getting assists on back-to-back fast breaks including an alley-oop to Dante Taylor.
The game was expected to feature many highlights, and the players did not wait to get started. An impromptu dunk contest began as the pregame layup line gave way to an assortment of reverse jams and windmills.
It didn't take long for an in-game dunk to materialize either, as Avery Bradley Jr., Monday's Powerade Jam Fest winner, electrified the crowd with a two-handed tip-slam 30 seconds into the game.
Boynton tried to dunk but failed as the ball slipped through his hands and softly bounced into the hoop.
"On that play, I was undecided. (The West's) John Henson jumped and he messed my mind up," Boynton said.
The game was sloppy early, with many players turning the ball over and slipping on the sponsor logos on the court.
With less than 10 seconds left, the East padded its lead to 113-110 when Derrick Favors slammed home an alley-oop from Lance Stephenson. Mason Plumlee missed a 3-pointer for the West as time expired to give the East the win.
Favors was named the game's MVP, scoring 19 points and grabbing eight rebounds in 18 minutes.
Favors, an imposing, 6-foot-9, 220-pound forward, abused the rim on four dunks.
"Favors had a lot of crazy dunks," Boynton said. "He had a great game. I enjoyed watching him tonight."
