My fifth year as games director of The Indiana All-Stars was a year of change. The Indiana-Kentucky All-Star contests went back to Gainbridge Fieldhouse from Southport High School this past June, and the All-Star program added a Futures Games event for some of Indiana’s best underclass girls and boys. The Futures Games doubleheader preceded the traditional Indiana-Kentucky All-Star doubleheader for graduating seniors.
The All-Star games themselves proved a surprise as both Indiana All-Star teams went to Owensboro and dropped both contests in Kentucky for the first time since 2018. In the girls’ game, Kentucky led by 16 points at the half and won easily 72-62. The boys’ game was similar to the girls’ game as Kentucky led by 12 points after 20 minutes, then held off a late challenge by the Indiana to prevail 94-90.
The next evening at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the tables were turned as the Indiana girls – led by 22 points and 14 rebounds from Miss Basketball Laila Hull of Zionsville – jumped to an early lead. With strong team play, the girls fought off a late Kentucky rally to win 71-67. Hull was named the game’s most valuable player, and Amber Tretter of Forest Park was the winner of the girls’ Wooden/MCL Citizenship Award.
The Indiana boys followed a similar formula. They opened the game on an 18-0 run and never looked back, claiming a 95-74 decision over Kentucky. Mr. Basketball Markus Burton of Penn led the Indiana squad with 26 points and was named the game’s MVP. He had a great weekend with 59 points in the two games on 23-of-44 field goal shooting with 12 rebounds and seven assists. Zane Doughty of Ben Davis was the winner of the boys’ Wooden/MCL Citizenship Award.
Looking ahead to 2024: The game dates are set for Friday, June 7 in Owensboro and Saturday, June 8 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Indiana Junior-Senior All-Star exhibition doubleheader will be played Wednesday, June 5 at a site to be announced. One new aspect of the 2024 All-Stars is net proceeds from the Indiana-hosted events will benefit the Riley Children’s Foundation and the Riley Hospital for Children.
Currently, I am preparing to travel across Indiana in the 2023-24 season to find the best 26 seniors – 13 boys and 13 girls for the 2024 All-Star teams. I look forward to seeing the best of Indiana high school basketball.
As I have stated in the past, in 49 states it’s just basketball, but this is Indiana. Let our schools and fans across the state of Indiana pull together and have a great 2023-24 school year in all academic and athletic endeavors
You may follow the All-Stars this fall and winter on our “X” account (formerly Twitter), @indallstars, which has grown to more than 5,200 followers.
Go Indiana! Beat Kentucky!
– Mike Broughton, Indiana All-Star games director
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| All-Star games director Mike Broughton (right) with 2023 girls' game MVP, Miss Basketball Laila Hull of Zionsville. |
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| Lan Haywood of Kolache Factory West in Carmel (left) and All-Star games director Mike Broughton (right) with 2023 boys' game MVP, Markus Burton of Penn. |
