My third year as games director of the Indiana All-Stars was one of regular-season games played in empty gyms and the constant threat of cancellations because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
While a number of states across the country elected not to play a high school regular season, Indiana with great effort and sacrifice from the high schools across the state gave the athletes a chance to compete. It was a year where as game director, I could go to one of the top games in the state and sit all by myself, many seats from the nearest fan.
After cancelling the Indiana-Kentucky All-Star Games in 2020, both the Kentucky All-Star games director and I thought it would be imperative that we make every effort fans or no fans to play the 2021 All-Star contests on Friday, June 11 in Owensboro and Saturday, June 12 in Indianapolis. Fortunately for all parties involved, Kentucky decided in April that it could field a team. Similarly, in Indiana, we were given the OK to play at Southport Fieldhouse with a maximum crowd of 3,000 people. Both the Indiana Boys and Indiana Girls did a great job representing our state. Both teams were well behaved, worked together and played hard in all contests.
The Indiana Girls trailed early in the game at Owensboro, but a 19-5 third-quarter rally led by Miss Basketball Jayla Smith of Lawrence North proved decisive as Indiana prevailed 69-58. Unfortunately, the Kentucky Girls rebounded to beat Indiana 78-76 at Southport, the first Kentucky victory in an Indiana venue since 2017.Smith was the most valuable player of the game for Indiana, and the annual Wooden/MCL Citizenship Award went to Courtney Blakely of Hammond Bishop Noll. Coaches Jeff Allen of Bedford North Lawrence, Donna Buckley of Noblesville and Doug Springer of Northridge are to be commended for their work with the Indiana Girls.
For the Indiana Boys, the team was well balanced and one of the better teams that Indiana ever has produced. Led by Mr. Basketball Caleb Furst of Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian, the Indiana Boys dominated Kentucky in both games. In Owensboro, Indiana led throughout a 93-70 triumph with five players scoring in double figures. The following day at Southport, Indiana thrilled the home crowd with an 86-70 decision. Furst totaled 14 points, 17 rebounds and was the winner of MVP accolades, while Kooper Jacobi of Silver Creek was presented the Wooden/MCL Citizenship Award. Coaches Ryan Osborn of Carmel, Mark Detweiler of Delta and Nate Hawkins of Heritage Hills helped Indiana extend its lead to 101-44 in a series dating to 1940.
A special thanks is in order to Southport High School, superintendent Pat Mapes, athletic director Brian Murphy, secretary Nicky Givens and the entire Southport community for their help in making the 2021 Indiana-Kentucky All-Star Games a successful event. Also, a special shout out to presenting partner Energy Systems Group and many others who financially made the 2021 games a quality event.
Looking to 2022, game dates are set for Friday, June 10 in Owensboro and Saturday, June 11 at Southport. The Indiana Junior-Senior All-Star exhibition will be Wednesday, June 8 at an Indiana high School to be announced.
As I prepare to travel across the state to find the best 26 players, 13 boys and 13 girls, I look forward to seeing the dedication of the Indiana coaches and players that are displayed each week of the season. The competition is great and hopefully the Indiana high school fans can come back to the games this winter.
As I have stated in the past, in 49 states, its just basketball. But this is Indiana. Lets as schools and fans across the state of Indiana pull together and have a great 2021-22 school year in all academic and athletic endeavors. You may follow me this fall and winter on our Twitter account @indallstars, which has grown to more than 4,000 followers.
Go Indiana! Beat Kentucky!
Mike Broughton, Indiana All-Star games director
