The 2017 All-Star crowd at Bankers Life Fieldhouse was a good one at 6,466. Both Indiana All-Star teams split with Kentucky (girls lost 75-67 in Bankers Life Fieldhouse, then won 58-51 at the Frankfort Civic Center; the boys won 94-89 won in BLF, then fell 111-110 in double overtime in Kentucky) in competitive games. At the same time, the Indiana All-Star program was able to assist the Indiana National Guard, the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association and the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame.
We face various challenges every year. The most difficult is the selecting 26 All-Stars out of a field that includes many more deserving players. I often am asked about the selection process. I thought I would list some of the things we do to help make informed, fair and qualified decisions.
Subjectivity always is an inevitable part of the process. Here are some of the ways we try to gather information. We try to see as many potential All-Stars as possible in person. Knowing that we cannot see all of them, we have a group of current and retired coaches from around Indiana who will scout games throughout the state and then provide feedback to us.
Another useful tool in the evaluation process is video. With the advent of video services such as Krossover and Hudl, we get to see several videos of potential All-Stars.
We also typically attend the IBCA/IHSAA Underclass Showcase events and Hoosier Basketball Magazine’s Top 60 Senior Workouts to see how the players perform and to see how they work together with teammates in those settings.
This year, the IBCA will have a group of 20 coaches from around the state who will select the 2018 IBCA/Subway All-State Teams. We will sit in on the discussion and listen to what they have to say about the candidates.
We seek the input of our Junior All-Star Coaches. They had the opportunity to work with several potential All-Stars, and they fill out an extensive evaluation form on each player. This, however, does not mean that only Junior All-Stars are selected for the All-Star team. Rather, of the last 18 teams (nine boys teams, nine girls teams) selected, the All-Stars have had at least one player chosen as a senior who had not been picked to the previous year’s Junior All-Star Team.
We also must look at the positions played by the candidates. It is pretty obvious that we cannot field of team of 12 point guards when we face the Kentucky All-Stars. We need guards, forwards, and centers.
Finally, we sit down with the given year’s All-Star coaching staff to discuss personnel with them as we try to complete a roster that will be competitive and represent Indiana well.
Perhaps Steve Witty described it best when he said that this is a “selection process, not a rejection one.” We try to reward those players who have had outstanding careers and, at the same time, select a team that can beat Kentucky.
I want to thank Steve for all he does, not only for the All-Stars but the IBCA as well. This job can’t be done well without a lot of help. Pat McKee, Beth DeVinney and Terry Downham are absolutely invaluable.
Most importantly, we need quality players who represent Indiana on and off the court. It is obvious to me that these players have been raised and coached to be just that – great ambassadors for Indiana high school basketball.
Looking forward to the 2017-18 season. Hope to see you there.
Thank you and good luck this coming season!
-- Charlie Hall
