2012 INNERCITY ALL STAR CLASSIS

Each year twenty of the state’s best boys and girls high school graduating seniors come together to partake in annual Inner City All Star Classic basketball game. This year is the 19th annual event.  With hip hop music playing in the back ground and a live DJ and announcer outgoing Senior basketball players show their stuff. The game is played on father’s day.

In the first game of the day Team Truth took on Team Faith. Both teams pushed the ball down the court as they looked to score on fast breaks. Fath Shamika of Hopkins drove hard to the basket and was able to look for fast break lay ups.

Neither team took many shots in the opening minutes of the game. Each team tried to figure each other out. There were many fast breaks missed by both teams in the opening minutes. Both teams looked for lay-ups and jump shots. They both took their time on the offensive end. 

Team Truth switched between man-to-man defense and zone defense. They were able to confuse Team Faith. There was no shot clock in the game and it was a running clock. Otherwise normal high school rules applied.

The score went back and forth throughout the first half. Neither team went on a run in the first half. Neither team was able to get more than a 10 point lead in the first half.  Both teams played under control and tried to manage their ball possessions based upon what the defense threw at them.

It was a very competitive first half. The crowd was involved in the game in the first half as they cheered for both teams.

At halftime the score was Team Truth 29 and Team Faith 22

As the second half got underway both teams continued to pound the ball inside and looked to score easy baskets.  Team Truth went on a roll and was able to get a 40-28 lead with 12:40 left in the game. 

Neither team looked to give up easy baskets. Everyone had to work hard for the baskets that they put up.  Despite the large deficit Team Faith didn't give up and they tried to get back into the game.  However, they simply did not have the fire power to do so. 

The game was competitive throughout.  In the end Team Truth did come away with the 54-46 victory over Team Faith in a hard fought game. 

The leading scorers for Team Truth were Kiondra Nicks with 13 points and Jamine Haynes and Arianna Rich each with 9 points. The leading scorers for Team Faith were Shamika Hopkins with 8 points and Olivia Antilla with 12 points.

In the second game of the day the boys' took to the court where Team Wisdom took on Team Knowledge.

The atmosphere surrounding the boys' game was electric. Both teams provided a lot of energy.  Each started out playing man-to-man defense as they did not want to give up easy shots.  But the mustard was already on the dog, and everyone knew it was an all-star game so they all tried to shine and showcase their talents. 

Siyani Chambers was all over the court for Team Knowledge. He was able to lead his team on the offensive end. Chambers was able to lock down his defenders on the defensive end.  He had good court awareness on both ends as he was able to dish out assists, crash the boards when needed and play good defense.

DJ Herbert for Wisdom blew by his defenders and found the basket several times for some wide open lay-ups. Herbert was able to keep his teammates involved in the game. He was able to get everyone involved in the offense.

Team Knowledge went on a run with 10:00 left in the first half. 

The first half was mostly competitive. No one got too fancy with the ball and the players were still able to show why they are all stars.  Herbert was able to come up with some steals and score wide open lay-ups.

At halftime the score was Team Wisdom 44 and Team Knowledge 34.

Marcus Marshall won the three-point contest which took place at halftime. Also there was a slam dunk contest.  Johnny Woodard, Ben Glover and Jerry Pratt took part in the Slam Dunk Contest. 

Johnny Woodard tried to bounce the ball off the rafters and catch it and dunk it on the first attempt. He was not able to make it. He ended up doing a simple two handed slam dunk.  Jerry Pratt on his first dunk tried to jump over a teammate and wore a cape. He made the dunk on the first try.  On Ben Glovers second dunk he tried a few dunks going behind his back. He scaled it back and did make a dunk. On Jerry Pratts second slam dunk attempt he took off from the free throw line and made it. Johnny Woodard was next he again tried to bounce the ball off the top wall and two hand slam dunked it.  Jerry Pratt and Johnny Woodard made it to the finals and did a 360 dunk and made it. Jerry Pratt had someone bring out a small table and place it a few feet from the basket.  Pratt made the two handed slam dunk over the table. Jerry Pratt was declared the winner of the 2012 Inner-City All Star Classic.


As the second half got underway both teams kept on attacking the glass and getting rebounds and going after loose balls. Chambers took the ball hard to the basket and was able to score easy baskets.

Both teams scored easy wide open lay-ups and jump shots in the second half. Everyone showed off their offensive power. 

Team Wisdom shot the ball well throughout the game and didn't give up any easy baskets. The game was within 3 points late in the contest. In the end Wisdom came away with the 77-72 victory over Team Knowledge. The leading scorers for Team Wisdom were Marcus Marshall with 15 and Tim Gill with 13 points. The leading scorers for Team Knowledge were Jerry Pratt with 16 points and Darrion Scott with 14 points.