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6/22/05




Quote:
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=6 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=alt2 style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px inset; BORDER-TOP: 1px inset; BORDER-LEFT: 1px inset; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px inset"><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width=12></TD><TD class=main vAlign=top><SCRIPT ******************** src="insert.js" type=text/**********></SCRIPT><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=2>June 22, 2005
Senior Boys Win 3OT Thriller - Girls Coast <HR width="100%" noShade SIZE=1></TD></TR><TR><TD>Hickory Husker
HickoryHusker.com Publisher </TD><TD noWrap align=right> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<!--All Star Team Logo New--><!--All Star Team Logo New--> PENDLETON, Ind. -- It had all the trappings of a typical casual All-Star exhibition. A midweek game with lots of autographs, smiles, and dunks in warm-ups. However, somehow that message was lost after the first tip went in the air. First because there would be three more such tips as it took triple overtime to decide this one...

If the All-Star game officials designed these exhibitions with the Juniors in an effort to test the Seniors, consider it mission accomplished. Unlike most All-Star affairs where fancy passes create oohs, and wide open lanes end with crowd pleasing dunking ahhs, every bucket on this night was contested.

<!--Start Relieved Bench SS Long Image--><SCRIPT ********************>document.write(insertImage('ht tp://vmedia.rivals.com/uploads/938/246638.JPG', '246638.JPG', 0, 171, 390, 1, 'The Senior All-Star coaches and players finally sense relief in the closing moments of the third and final overtime.', '', 1119421474000, 'Relieved Bench SS Long', 938, 'Align=Left'));</SCRIPT><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=398 align=left border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width=392></TD><TD width=6 rowSpan=3></TD></TR><TR><TD height=3></TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>The Senior All-Star coaches and players finally sense relief in the closing moments of the third and final overtime.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- End Relieved Bench SS Long Image-->Aren't All-Stars supposed to conduct themselves like primadonas? Although primadonas aren't usually diving on the floor in groups of four or five fighting for loose balls. And coaches? Aren't these sorts of games just for show? Coach Joe Buck was on the floor repeatedly, once even crossing the center court to protest a call. There was a moment when this old corner thought I might see my first ejection in a Jr/Sr game.

No, this was a classic from start to end, and to make matters even interesting, I was able to enjoy the whole affair sitting among a dozen or so Varsity Club members.

Approximately 2000 other diehard fans packed a fire pit of a gym to see Lapel's Jason Holsinger bomb his way to a team high 22 points on 7 of 8 timely shots from beyond the arc. More backcourt fireworks for the Seniors came from LN's Brandon McPherson with 18, and Richmond's Dominic James starring with 17. Mr. Baskeball, Washington's Luke Zeller added 15 points and 7 rebounds.

For the Juniors it was a dominant front court that grabbed the attention of the nets. Lawrence North's Greg Oden powered his way to a game high 29, which included one thundering dunk that nearly brought the entire basket rigging down. Andrean's Luke Harangody and Gary West's Jamil Tucker also combined for 19 rebounds.

The Juniors were able to take a 5 point edge into halftime, but a 47 point second half outburst by the Seniors forced the first OT. The Seniors finally pulled away 16-9 in the final extra period for the win, 118-111. In the girls contest the Seniors methodically pulled away from their Junior counterparts, 91-77, Corydon's Dana Beaven topped the Seniors with 14, while Junior Northfield's Courtney Reed had a game high 19. Next up for the All-Stars is a trip to Richmond High School for another exhibition with the Juniors Thursday, June 23.

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Tucker had 18 points and 7 rebounds in the loss.