The Versailles Republican Sports
June 25, 2009

First Annual Indiana Class Basketball All-Star Classic is held

Gary Franklin, Sports Writer

A pleasant opportunity to once again view some of this year's standout basketball talent from each of the four classes of IHSAA basketball availed itself through the First Annual Indiana Class Basketball All-Star Classic event chaired by Kent Benson and held at the New Castle Fieldhouse on Saturday, June 20.
Among the area's local Class 1A & 2A female athletes invited were: Jac-Cen-Del Lady Eagles Valorie Wagner and Kristen Hicks, Southwestern Hanover Lady Rebel Sarah Roth (unable to attend) and filling her spot, Alison Soliday of the Waldron Lady Mohawks. with Lady Mohawk Head Coach Brad Gossett leading the state teams charge assisted by Coach Terry Minix of Oregon Davis.
Class 1A and 2A male area representatives included Class 1A State Champion Jac-Cen-Del Eagle teammates Matt Gehl and Tim Arnett along with 2A Lawrenceburg Tiger Jim Faehr and Switzerland County Pacer Kyle Green. Invited but unable to attend was 3A Batesville Bulldog Colt Ryan.
Players played for free, unlike many all-star events where players must pay an entry fee to show off their talents. Also, profits from the event were to be split between the United Fund of Henry County (which includes 19 different agencies) with matching funds to be in the Henry Co. five school districts to help needy families buy books.
Game tickets were $5/game or $20 for the day, with vendor booths available on the fieldhouse concourse for $100 each. Two of the booth purchasers were the Milan Museum and the Cryspus Attucks Memorbilia Museum.
The classic goal, "To give Indiana a more complete view of Indiana's high school graduating seniors to the public."
KFC sponsored a 3 point contest for the boys and girls desiring to participate and a split the pot was offered during each of the four game venues.