Just getting in from Indianapolis after a thrilling couple of basketball games at Cathedral High School.
The Indiana All-Stars met tonight in Cathedral. The seniors took on the juniors in girls and boys, and in both cases, the juniors pulled off the upset behind strong performances from future Boilermakers on both sides. I'll let Jace give a full run-down on the girls game where the juniors rolled the seniors 102-75.
For the boys, the Junior All-Stars and All-Stars had an exciting, back and forth game, but again the youth took it to the Seniors and pulled off the upset, 105-100.
Purdue Commits Shined
Jack Benter bounced back after missing all 8 of his three-point shots in the Junior All-Stars match up with Kentucky's Junior All-Stars on Sunday. But it wasn't easy to start with Benter missing his first five three-point shots, not scoring in the first half while the Juniors went into the half trailing just 45-43. Benter finally saw one go down on the right wing to start the second half though and then another, and from there, Benter showed off all the offensive explosiveness that makes him such a tantalizing talent and commit for Purdue. Benter went on to make 5 threes and score 24 points in 27 minutes of action. He also had a game-high +/- +17.
It was bound to happen. Benter is too good a shooter to keep missing all his shots. But what's more impressive is how improved and more comfortable Benter looks with the team after just one game. He told me after the game he felt more comfortable, getting a little action in with the team earlier this week, and this goes with what his father told me after his game in Jeffersonville. Benter is a player that thrives within structure and there wasn't much organization to the Junior All-Stars first game. But this Junior All-Star team gelled quickly - a lot of that has to do with just having Flory Bidunga to dunk and block everything - but also Benter did a much better job staying active all over the court, being aggressive with and without the ball, and attacking the glass. Benter grabbed 11 rebounds, had 2 assists (he's a very good passer), 2 steals, and 1 block.
He hit multiple key baskets late for the Junior All-Stars. He had a three where he caught it and had to spin around in semi-transition, locate the hoop, and drain the three. He hit another three where he got the ball after an offensive rebound and had to dribble back out to the corner to get behind the line. He drained that one as well. Benter's not just a shooter - or I should say, he's a shooter, but he's also a really big guard. Benter took advantage of this when late in the game he got a small guy switched onto him and Flory Bidunga fed him a post entry where Benter hit a drop step and drew a foul and made two free throws to give the Junior's the lead back late. Benter looked every bit the kind of player that will challenge for Mr. Basketball in Indiana next season.
Myles Colvin was the Senior All-Stars most efficient and effective player. He had 18 points on 7 of 11 shooting and a +/- of +7. He one of just three net positive players on the Senior squad. He's also still very much a human highlight reel.
Colvin's size really stands out as well. He's every bit of 6-5 with a sturdy lower body, and plays above the rim in a way that not many guards or wings do in high school or college. The offense did not run through Colvin with Mr. Basketball running point in Markus Burton, but when Colvin got the chance, he showed off that the ceiling is incredibly high and he can go up and touch it.
But how did a Junior All-Stars team that lost to Kentucky's Junior All-Stars pull off the upset over the Indiana All-Stars?
Well it starts with a 4:30 am arrival. That's when Flory Bidunga got into Indiana the morning of the game from his trip to Vegas for the Pangos All-American Camp. Bidunga was in Vegas instead of Jeffersonville for that first game and the addition of Bidunga was enough to change the identity of the Junior team.
Despite the early flight, Bidunga was dominant in 37 minutes of action. His numbers don't really do him justice, but they are impressive. He had 18 points, 21 rebounds, 4 assists, and 6 blocked shots. Bidunga continues to get better and more active as his junior season winds down. He's reading the floor better, he's anticipating offenses better, and he's got the athleticism to get everywhere at the floor at once. Bidunga is a game wrecker.
The Indiana All-Stars will continue with Myles Colvin and his team taking on Kentucky in Owensboro on Friday.
The Indiana All-Stars met tonight in Cathedral. The seniors took on the juniors in girls and boys, and in both cases, the juniors pulled off the upset behind strong performances from future Boilermakers on both sides. I'll let Jace give a full run-down on the girls game where the juniors rolled the seniors 102-75.
For the boys, the Junior All-Stars and All-Stars had an exciting, back and forth game, but again the youth took it to the Seniors and pulled off the upset, 105-100.
Purdue Commits Shined
It was bound to happen. Benter is too good a shooter to keep missing all his shots. But what's more impressive is how improved and more comfortable Benter looks with the team after just one game. He told me after the game he felt more comfortable, getting a little action in with the team earlier this week, and this goes with what his father told me after his game in Jeffersonville. Benter is a player that thrives within structure and there wasn't much organization to the Junior All-Stars first game. But this Junior All-Star team gelled quickly - a lot of that has to do with just having Flory Bidunga to dunk and block everything - but also Benter did a much better job staying active all over the court, being aggressive with and without the ball, and attacking the glass. Benter grabbed 11 rebounds, had 2 assists (he's a very good passer), 2 steals, and 1 block.
He hit multiple key baskets late for the Junior All-Stars. He had a three where he caught it and had to spin around in semi-transition, locate the hoop, and drain the three. He hit another three where he got the ball after an offensive rebound and had to dribble back out to the corner to get behind the line. He drained that one as well. Benter's not just a shooter - or I should say, he's a shooter, but he's also a really big guard. Benter took advantage of this when late in the game he got a small guy switched onto him and Flory Bidunga fed him a post entry where Benter hit a drop step and drew a foul and made two free throws to give the Junior's the lead back late. Benter looked every bit the kind of player that will challenge for Mr. Basketball in Indiana next season.
Colvin's size really stands out as well. He's every bit of 6-5 with a sturdy lower body, and plays above the rim in a way that not many guards or wings do in high school or college. The offense did not run through Colvin with Mr. Basketball running point in Markus Burton, but when Colvin got the chance, he showed off that the ceiling is incredibly high and he can go up and touch it.
Well it starts with a 4:30 am arrival. That's when Flory Bidunga got into Indiana the morning of the game from his trip to Vegas for the Pangos All-American Camp. Bidunga was in Vegas instead of Jeffersonville for that first game and the addition of Bidunga was enough to change the identity of the Junior team.
Despite the early flight, Bidunga was dominant in 37 minutes of action. His numbers don't really do him justice, but they are impressive. He had 18 points, 21 rebounds, 4 assists, and 6 blocked shots. Bidunga continues to get better and more active as his junior season winds down. He's reading the floor better, he's anticipating offenses better, and he's got the athleticism to get everywhere at the floor at once. Bidunga is a game wrecker.
The Indiana All-Stars will continue with Myles Colvin and his team taking on Kentucky in Owensboro on Friday.
