By KYLE LOVERN

Sports Editor

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The West Virginia Rising Stars defeated a Virginia team 71-56 on Friday afternoon in the national AAU tourney in Memphis. Local product Cole Bentley led the team with 15 points, eight rebounds and five blocks.

The AAU squad defeated the Georgia Worldwide Renegades 51-43 later in the tournament.

The W.Va. team was down 33-27 going into the fourth quarter, but came back to pull out the victory. They fought foul trouble again in this game.

Bentley had seven points, six boards and two blocks.

The W.Va. AAU team now has a record of 38-5. They were 4-1 in the national tournament on Saturday and had a couple of late games to play.

The team, coached by Dre Nazario, was 5-1 in Boo Williams Nike Invitational going taking the silver medal there. In other tourneys they went 5-0 in Atlanta Hardwood Classic, 3-2 in the Mountain State 8th grade event, 5-0 in the W.Va. 7th grade state tourney and 5-0 in the 5-0 Wildcat Shootout 5-0. They were also 5-0 in the Pony Express Invitational 8th grade division, 6-1 in the Five Star Basketball M.I.T. in Washington, D.C. losing in the final four of 79 team field.