GREENSBORO — We learned something on Tuesday night that we probably knew deep down all along — that West Rowan High grad Kari Schenk is one of the best female basketball players in the state in the class of 2000.

Schenk scored 10 points in the East-West All-Star Game at the Greensboro Coliseum and was a key figure as the winning West squad overwhelmed the East 67-49.

The West team made two 3-pointers. Both came from Schenk’s left arm. Schenk also ran the West offense for all 22 minutes (of a possible 32) she was on the floor, and her fierce man-to-man defense left opponents Kanetra Queen (who signed with Clemson) and Casey Collins (who signed with Gardner-Webb) gasping for air after shooting a combined 3-for-15.

The complete results of the Most Outstanding Player balloting were not released, but it’s likely that Schenk finished runner-up to winner Holly Andrews of South Caldwell, who scored 12 points in 27 minutes.

“Surprised at Kari?” chuckled West’s Scooter Sherrill, who had a ringside seat in the end zone. “I’m never surprised at what Kari does. Hey, she’s got skills.”

The 5-foot-7 Schenk’s skills are pretty obvious, which is why everyone from press row, to her opponents, to her teammates, to her coaches, is still a little shocked when they learn that she has no plans to play college basketball — at least during her first year at Appalachian.

“When Kari told me she wasn’t planning to play, I told her, ‘Girl, what in the world are you talking about,’” said Andrews, who has signed with Elon.

“I saw Kari play in the West Regional (at Hickory) in the spring, “ said Hickory High legend Dave Elder, coach of the West team. “I also watched film of her and liked the way she conducted herself. I knew right away that Kari was one of the guards we had to have on this team.

“She can handle it, shoot it, pass it, play defense. She’s all-round. She’s aggressive and she’s a leader. That lady is a go-getter.”

Elder was pleased with Schenk’s play, but hardly surprised.

“Kari can just play the game,” said Elder. “She’d be an asset to any basketball program anywhere. I’d sure like to see her reconsider not playing in college.”

Elder’s assistant, Karen Cook of 2A Mitchell, knew about Schenk only from reputation prior to this week, but also became a believer.

“She’s just an awesome athlete,” said Cook. “So focused and such a pleasure to work with. Could she play at the next level? No doubt about it.”

Schenk and Andrews had to play more than anyone anticipated, because Mitchell’s Julie Buchanan, the only other true guard on the team, injured a knee and had to sit out. That meant Schenk and Andrews, both primarily point guards, played together in the backcourt most of the night. Schenk handled lead guard duties with the 5-9 Andrews sliding over to the No. 2 spot.

“No problem,” said Andrews. “She could read me and I read her. I’ll tell you this, Kari is the best left-handed point guard I ever saw.”

Schenk started the game and nervously turned the ball over a few seconds later on her first pass, but she quickly bounced back with a 3-pointer to give the West a 5-0 lead.

“Making that first shot always gets the nerves out,” said Schenk. “After that I said, ‘Maybe, I’m going to be OK out here.’”

Well, maybe more than OK. Her next shot was another 3 that swished through in the second quarter. That one pushed the West ahead 18-13. Moments later, Schenk drew some of the loudest oohs of the night with a behind-the-back crossover move to lose a defender. She finished the play with an off-balance scoop in the lane over 6-0 UNC signee Joy Hairston.

“I saw the big girl coming and knew I had to move the ball,” said Schenk. “I’m not real sure how that one fell.”

OK, maybe there was a little luck involved, but Schenk finished the half with a tidy 3-for-3 for eight points.

In the second half, Schenk was content to run the show and let Andrews do the shooting, but she did have two key assists in the fourth quarter. At 5:12, she escaped a trap and hit East Henderson’s Nicki Fauntleroy for a layup. Forty seconds later, Schenk found Tiffany Adkins of North Buncombe for a wide-open shot from the corner. Finally, Schenk made a couple of free throws out of the West’s delay game in the final minute to join Andrews and Wake Forest-bound Eafton Hill as double-figure scorers.

What made Schenk’s performance really remarkable is that while she’s worked a few camps for youngsters this summer, she’s played no fullcourt basketball. Meanwhile, almost all the other all-stars have been busy on the AAU circuit or have been playing daily in preparation for college ball.

“I knew these girls had played all summer. That’s why I was thinking, ‘Oh God, I’m going to get rammed,” laughed Schenk. “Heck, all I’ve been doing was playing in the driveway with ‘Pipe’ (best friend and former West teammate Sara Pieper).”

But Pieper, a 5-10 all-county player, is pretty good. And she got Schenk ready.

“Sure I did,” said Pieper. “I played Kari every day for a week and talked junk to her. I tried to get her hyped up. I told her, ‘Kari, if you can’t take me, how are you going to take the big dogs?’”

Schenk’s parents were delighted when she got the invitation to play in the all-star game, but she had warned them not to expect too much. After all, she’d be the smallest girl on the West team and one of the few who hadn’t signed a college scholarship.

“I figured those other girls would be ready to tear it up,” said Kari’s father, Tim. “And then Kari called last week and said that she was real sore from all the running at practice and that she’d probably just be backing up Andrews.

“But then she called back Sunday and said she’d been named captain. That’s when I started thinking, ‘Well, maybe she’s got a chance to start.’”

And of course, she did start. And, of course, she not only didn’t look out of place, she was as quick and smart and as good a shooter as anyone on the floor.

“We were pleased,” said Tim, pointing at two rows of friends and family. “Tickled to death, really. Kari did good. Those girls are the best around and she definitely held her own.”

But then, deep down, we already knew that she would.