The border battle returns this weekend with the Indiana girls and boys All-Star games against the best from Kentucky. This is for all the bragging rights.
Yesterday I sat in on both practices before they begin games this week. Soon-to-be Hoosiers Austin Etherington and Indiana Mr. Basketball, Cody Zeller. They both were bigger than I remembered, which is great to see. The interesting note was that Kentucky-bound Marquis Teague of Pike was absent. Coach John Calipari restricted Teague’s time with the all-stars but is allowing him to play in the games. The selfishness continues…since when did it all become about him?
Late Sunday night, Mr. Basketball Cody Zeller, Austin Etherington, Miss Basketball Bria Goss and Liz Stratman made the TV rounds along with their head coaches. While with them at WTHR-Channel 13, it was enjoyable to interact with them and see their interest in television. We had Zeller and Goss tape teases and it took each of them at least six takes. TV isn’t so easy now is it.
The Indiana All-Stars cut back from their normal two-week schedule and condensed it all into one. Therefore the two teams are certainly keeping busy before heading off to their respective colleges.
Monday and Wednesday, the all-star teams scrimmage the junior all-star teams to get prepared and comfortable for the two games against the blue-grass state. Details below:
The junior all-star team consists of the following six core players:
D.J. Ballentine-Kokomo, Yogi Farrell-Park Tudor, Gary Harris-Hamilton Southeastern, Ron Patterson-Broad Ripple, Glenn Robinson III-Lake Central, D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera-North Central
Monday, June 6—Washington High School
Core players plus Rapheal Davis-Fort Wayne South, Kellen Dunham-Pendleton Heights, Logan Irwin-Whitko, DeJaun Marrero-Bowman Academy, Nick Osborne-Muncie Central, Hanner Perea-LaPorte LaLumier
Wednesday, June 8—Kokomo High School
Core players plus Austin Burgett-Avon, Jeremy Hollowell-Lawrence Central, Ronnie Johnson-North Central, Jalen Pendleton-Evansville Bosse, Joe Reed-Center Grove, J.T. Yoho-Eastern Green.
The girls game tips-off at 6 pm, with the boys to follow. Admission is $5.
Finally on Friday, the border battle opens in Kentucky at Bellarmine University and comes to Conseco Fieldhouse on Saturday.
IU fans will get their first look at freshman Remy Abell, a Louisville native, who will play for the Kentucky All-Stars. Along with Zeller and Etherington, Abell should help bolster the crowd in Indianapolis with IU fans trying to get a look at the three incoming freshman.
I am one that makes it a point to attend the game each summer. I enjoy watching Indiana’s best take it to Kentucky. And will again this year.
Follow Scott on twitter @ScottAgness.