My sixth year as games director of the Indiana All-Stars produced physical games that were well played by both Indiana and Kentucky.
In the first game played in Kentucky, the Indiana girls got off to a great start. Indiana shot 64 percent from the 3-point line to lead 46-41 at the half. Both squads continued quality play in the second half as the Hoosiers finally prevailed, winning 90-79. Juliann Woodard of Jennings County led Indiana with 23 points followed by three other players scoring double figures – Jordyn Poole of Fort Wayne Snider with 19, Miss Basketball Chloe Spreen of Bedford North Lawrence with 12 points and Reagan Wilson of Noblesville with 11 points.
In the boys’ All-Star game, Indiana followed a similar formula by getting off to a great start in leading Kentucky 49-43 at the half. The lead was short lived as Kentucky shot 60 percent from the field and used a 60-33 second-half advantage to win going away 103-82. Jack Benter of Brownstown Central led the Hoosier squad with 16 points. He was followed by Keenan Garner of Fisher with 15 points, Mr. Basketball Flory Bidunga of Kokomo with 13 points and K.J. Windham of Ben Davis with 12 points.
On Saturday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the Indiana-Kentucky girls’ contest had four lead changes and six ties as both teams played quality first-half defense. The Kentucky squad forced various first-half Indiana turnovers and led at intermission 34-25. In the second half, led by Lauren Walsh of Penn and her aggressive defense, Indiana turned the tide as it won a hard-fought battle 66-64 to sweep Kentucky for the first time since 2016. Four Indiana players scored in double figures led by Spreen with 16 points and game MVP Woodard with 15 points plus 12 rebounds. The Wooden/MCL Citizenship Award went to Camyrn Runner of Hamilton Heights.
The boys’ All-Star game was one the most physical contests in recent years. Indiana played a fantastic first half, shooting 46 percent from the 3-point line and dominating their Bluegrass counterparts 50-31. Kentucky would not be denied in the second half as it shot 55 percent from the field and missed a last-second shot that would have tied the game as the Indiana All-Stars prevailed 92-89. Bidunga was game MVP after the totaled 31 points and 17 rebounds. Other double-figure scorers in Game 2 were Micah Davis of Franklin Community with 11 points and Evan Haywood of Brebeuf Jesuit with 10 points. The Wooden/MCL Citizenship Award went to Isaac Andrews of Wapahani.
Looking ahead to 2025, dates for the Indiana/Kentucky All-Star senior doubleheaders have been set for Friday, June 6 in Kentucky and Saturday, June 7 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Sites for the other All-Star week doubleheaders have yet to be determined. They will be the Indiana Juniors vs. Kentucky Juniors on Sunday, June 1; the All-Star Futures Games on Monday, June 2; and the Junior-Senior exhibition contests on Wednesday, June 4.
The 2024 Indiana All-Stars donated $5,000 to Riley’s Children Foundation and Riley Hospital for Children. It is a 2025 goal to continue contributing to this worthy cause.
Currently, I am preparing to travel across Indiana in the 2024-25 season to find the best 24 seniors – 12 boys and 12 girls for the 2025 All-Star teams. I look forward to seeing the best of Indiana high school basketball.
As I have stated in the past, in 49 states it is just basketball, but this is Indiana. Let our schools and fans across the state pull together and have a great 2024-2025 school year in all academic and athletic endeavors.
You may follow the Indiana All-Stars throughout the year on our “X” account, @indallstars, which has grown to more than 5,600 followers.
– Mike Broughton, Indiana All-Star games director
Indiana All-Star games director Mike Broughton (left) is with 2024 Miss Basketball Chloe Spreen of Bedford North Lawrence, 2024 Mr. Basketball Flory Bidunga of Kokomo and Brad Long of Jostens at the ring presentation ceremony during the 2024 Indiana-Kentucky All-Star doubleheader in Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
