Indiana All-Stars vs. Kentucky series worth keeping? Players think so.

Possibly I’m speaking to the mistaken folks.

Yearly in early June, like clockwork, you possibly can depend on a minimum of one or two columnists writing concerning the sagging fortunes of the Indiana-Kentucky All-Stars sequence, an occasion that really was an EVENT since its inception in 1940 (the primary Indiana All-Stars in 1939 performed state champion Frankfort earlier than Kentucky was introduced within the following 12 months) by the Nineties.

It was multi-week occasion again then. There have been sellout crowds at Hinkle Fieldhouse. Yada, yada. If you happen to’re studying this, you most likely know the background. It was — and is — one of many really distinctive occasions within the nation, pitting the perfect gamers from neighboring states.

I coated my first Indiana-Kentucky All-Stars sequence in 2008. Even then, the dialogue surrounding the slip in curiosity was effectively underway. Indiana was within the midst of a dominant run on the boys facet with sequence sweeps in 5 of the six earlier years. On the Kentucky facet, the sport had moved out of Freedom Corridor in Louisville in 1994 and bounced from Lexington to Frankfort to Owensboro to Bowling Inexperienced to Louisville to Lexington to Louisville to Frankfort to Louisville to Owensboro within the years since.

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These columnists are usually not mistaken about curiosity waning within the sequence from an in-person crowd expertise, particularly on the Kentucky facet. There was not a lot a crowd in any respect Friday evening in Owensboro. I’ve to suppose that has rather a lot to with recreation shifting round a lot prior to now 25 years, together with all the societal issues which have contributed to a downturn in attendance at virtually each degree of sports activities lately.

On the Indiana facet, the sport has moved to Southport Fieldhouse from Gainbridge Fieldhouse the previous two years resulting from building at Gainbridge. All-Stars director Mike Broughton stated Friday he’s assembly “quickly” with the parents at Gainbridge concerning the future location of the sport. Personally, I might not thoughts to see it proceed at Southport, although each venues are implausible in their very own method. It feels a bit extra intimate at Southport, although. Broughton stated he won’t know attendance numbers for a few days, however it regarded and felt like a great crowd Saturday.

Within the curiosity of full disclosure, the IndyStar and the Indiana All-Stars sequence have been intertwined because the starting of the sequence. IndyStar turned over the day-to-day operation administration of the sequence in 2012 however continues to be the title sponsor and supplies promoting for the sport.

That stated, I want those that write concerning the loss of life of the sequence each June can be there to speak to the gamers Saturday evening on the finish of the week. Like I wrote on the high, possibly I’m speaking to the mistaken folks. However virtually each interplay I’ve skilled on the finish of the week has been constructive. The sport is for the gamers, a option to honor them for years of excelling on the basketball court docket. For a lot of of them, getting that telephone name to be an Indiana All-Star is one thing they’ll always remember. Their jerseys might be on the wall of their faculties eternally.

Extra native sports activities:Indiana ladies All-Stars go chilly from deep in loss to Kentucky

Here’s what just a few of them stated Saturday concerning the expertise:

>> Carmel’s Kate Clarke: “I believe the most important factor for me is the folks. I received to get along with the perfect ladies within the state, and I’m glad I’ve gotten to expertise that, particularly earlier than going to school at Michigan. I’m simply tremendous grateful for every part.”

>> Homestead’s Ayanna Patterson (Miss Basketball who was unable to play resulting from an damage she suffered Wednesday at school apply however returned from UConn to be a part of the week): “It was questionable for me initially for me to have the ability to come again and play, however (UConn coach Geno Auriemma) and the entire teaching employees knew how a lot this meant to me they usually allowed me to return again and I might have performed if I used to be capable of.”

>> Crown Level’s Jessica Carrothers: “I used to be truly promenade costume procuring after I received the decision (to be an All-Star). I believe I’ll look again at it as an opportunity to play in an All-Star recreation with a bunch of my shut buddies that I’ll at all times have relationships with after I grow old and I’ll know I can at all times name or textual content, particularly Kynidi over there (Kynidi Mason-Striverson of Silver Creek) and she or he’ll at all times decide up. On the finish of the day, we received a win towards Kentucky and that’s all that issues.”

>> Lawrence North’s CJ Gunn: “I believe I’ll take away the real time that we had collectively at Marian earlier than apply and after apply and the connection I had with all the guys. It was superb. I’ll cherish that for all times.”

>> Carmel’s Pete Suder: “I’d say the friendships and relationships (would be the greatest reminiscence). I do know these guys from AAU basketball, however I’ve by no means felt so near a household in like 5 days. We frolicked within the foyer play NBA2K and playing cards. It was numerous enjoyable to be with these guys.”

>> Chesterton’s Travis Grayson: “Having the ability to rep Chesterton was actual good. … Since we stepped on to Marian’s campus within the dorms, I knew we had been all going to be outgoing and accepting of one another. It simply clicked. Coach (Chad) Johnston and coach (Steve) Lynch and coach (Rob) Yoder are all nice guys and nice coaches. It was actually good.”

There are clearly just a few right here and there who’re upset with enjoying time or have another subject. Some depart the workforce in the course of the week sometimes. However others, Patterson and Gary West Facet’s Jalen Washington for instance, exit of their method simply to be there even after they can’t play. I believe Mr. Basketball Braden Smith had the time of his life despite the fact that he was not capable of take part.

We’re by no means going to get again to promoting out arenas for the Indiana-Kentucky All-Stars sequence. However the honor of being an Indiana All-Star doesn’t imply any lower than it did in 1952 or 1982. Having coated this occasion for 15 years, right here are some things I believed could possibly be carried out to infuse some power into the sequence (whereas acknowledging these items are simpler to jot down about than truly make occur):

>> Transfer the Kentucky recreation again to Louisville. If not at Bellarmine, which I believe is the best location for the sport, then someplace in Louisville. It’s a better drive for Indiana followers to make and a greater probability for a walk-up crowd. I really like the Owensboro Sportscenter, a neat, historic area, however it’s a longer drive and there simply was not a lot buzz in any respect Friday evening. If it stays in Owensboro, discover a option to get some native youth groups within the fitness center.

>> Create a dunk contest/3-point shootout. The warmups Saturday for Indiana principally was a dunk contest. I’d say Cathedral’s Jaxon Edwards, Lawrence North’s Gunn, Mt. Vernon’s Amhad Jarrard, Pike’s Conwell and Lafayette Jeff’s Javan Buchanan, so as, can be my high 5 picks. Give 5 gamers two dunks apiece and produce out some visitor judges. Then have a 3-point shootout for the ladies. I believe each of these additions can be interesting to the gamers and to the youthful folks within the viewers.

>> Contemplate alternate options. I’m towards buying and selling out a sequence with Kentucky for one more state, which comes up repeatedly in these conversations. Why would Illinois, Ohio or Michigan care about this sequence any greater than Kentucky? Gunn talked about possibly enjoying Michigan one evening and Kentucky the subsequent. However bear in mind, the Kentucky ladies have been aggressive within the sequence, splitting 5 in a row following Indiana sweeps in 2014, ’15 and ’16. However I believe a extra viable various is perhaps a sequence towards the Indiana Junior All-Stars. Play it in the identical format on a Friday-Saturday at two completely different historic venues in Indiana (there are many these to think about). Or try this Friday evening and play Saturday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, if doable. Whereas I favor the present setup, to me, this is able to be the perfect various to a sequence with Kentucky. 

It takes cash to maintain this sequence going. However as an alternative of beating it like a piñata each June, I want folks might hear what it means to gamers like Gunn, Grayson, Patterson and Carrothers to be an Indiana All-Star.

Name Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at 317-444-6649.