Some familiar faces will headline the Kentucky vs Indiana All-Stars Game at the Owensboro Sportscenter on Friday, with the 1972 KHSAA “Sweet 16” Champion Owensboro Red Devils being honored during the game.
After the All-Star game was held at the Sportscenter last year, Director Scott Chalk said that they knew it was a great venue with the ability to draw enough fans there. They’ll get some help locally thanks to their voting committee and coaching staff as well.
Owensboro Head Coach Rod Drake will serve as an assistant coach on the boys staff, while Apollo’s own Amaya Curry will suit up for the girls team.
“It means a lot to be recognized as one of the best in the state of Kentucky and to represent my state against Indiana,” Curry said. “I will definitely be excited to play in front of my hometown when we take on Indiana at the sportscenter.”
On top of that Curry will be playing with a future Knight as well, allowing them to create some early chemistry before their season at Bellarmine starts in the fall.
“I’m looking forward to being on the court with my future teammate Gracie Merkle and also being on the court with so many great players,” Curry said. “I think it will be a lot of fun and exciting.”
Owensboro will also be represented by the 1972 KHSAA “Sweet 16” Champion Owensboro Red Devils during the game, as they weren’t able to travel to the Sweet 16 this year and are now being honored instead at home.
The team was filled with loads of talent, including a Mr. Basketball player in Jerry Thruston, former NBA player Kenny Higgs and more, plus Bobby Watson at the helm—a coach who won two state championships during his career.
And while to some the All-Star game might not be a game with high stakes, to those that have been around it and played in it would beg to differ—including director Chalk.
“It is the oldest All-Star game in the nation with over 80 years of tradition,” Chalk said. “It’s more than an All Star game, it’s a rivalry for bragging rights between the two states where basketball means the most.”
Miss Kentucky Basketball will be presented prior to the girls game at 5:30 p.m., with the same going for the boys prior to their game at 7:30 p.m. on Friday.
