(Above photo: Lady participants practicing for the big game. Photograph taken by Larry Stauth JR.)
(South Medford’s junior guard, Kaleb Franklin driving to the hoop during practice. Photo taken by Larry Stauth JR.)
It’s that time of year again, where ballers from all-around Southern Oregon get together and showcase their skills at Central High School of Medford, Oregon for the 10th annual Mail Tribune (MT) All-Star Classic, Friday night at 6:00PM. Broadcast can be found at Tablerocksports.net.
The MT All-Star Classic puts four teams made-up of basketball players from around Southern Oregon and gives them an opportunity to square off with each other. It is unlike any basketball game that these players have played in all year. Having attended the past three, I can say the atmosphere is electric and fans are entertained.
The four teams and there coaches will be; Rogue boys, coached by SOU men’s head coach Brian McDermott, Rogue Girls, coached by SOU women’s coach Alex Carlson, Siskiyou boys, coached by OIT Men’s coach Justin Parnell and Sikiyou girls, coached by OIT women’s coach Scott Meredith.
This game has been a staple in the Southern Oregon basketball community for years, “The first (MT All-Star Classic) games were in 2008. Manny Crump and Tom Cole were at Kids Unlimited at the time, and Manny came up with the idea. When he played in high school, he didn’t have an opportunity to play against players from bigger schools, as I recall, and he thought it’d be pretty neat if we did it here. They called me to see if the Mail Tribune wanted to get involved, and we did. It’s turned into an outstanding community event,” according to the editor of the sports department at the Mail Tribune, Tim Trower.
It is a chance for players and teammates to get together and compete with the best competition Southern Oregon has to offer. “They play with top players from other teams and other levels, and they play against their own school teammates in some cases. They have a ball. These games are more a mix of fun and competition than any they’ve played this season, I suspect. Bragging rights come with it, too, so the winners enjoy that,” stated Trower.
The MT All-star game has seen its fair share of amazing performances like last year when Juli Tago poured in 42 points in a losing effort for the Siskiyou girls. “Juli could put up those kind of points in any game,” is what Lauren Orndoof, former South Medford teammate and soon to be two-time MT All-star game participant, had to say about Tago’s performance. Orndoof also added, “It was weird having her on the opposite team but playing against her was a good time.”
Trower has definitely seen many great performances at this event as well, “There are a number of them (great performances), but in 2011, Harley Casillas of tiny Butte Falls was the MVP when his team won, 99-97. Most of our MVPs have been from large schools, so that was very special, and I think they still talk about it in Butte Falls when the All-Star games roll around. I also loved it the first year, when Rogue Valley Adventist, another 1A school, sent buses packed with all their students to the games. They made a lot of noise and really got into it.”
For the players playing, it is more than just a game to them “It’s a chance to go out and have fun with guys I’ve been playing with or against my whole life. I remember looking up to the guys playing in this game when I was a kid, so to get the chance to play in it now is exciting It’s a great way to support kids unlimited and the strong community it has built,” according to Panther’s senior guard, Riley Martin, who will be playing in tomorrow night’s game. Martin was humbled by being selected to the all-star game, “It’s a huge honor and I’m excited to be able to go play with some of the best players from around the valley.”
Brad Allen, a senior post for North Medford echoed Martin’s response, “It means a lot to be selected for the all star game. (I) Trained hard all season and was excited about this season and sad when it ended. When I heard I got selected I was very happy and excited to get on the court with some people I used to play with and have never got the opportunity to play with. It means a lot that the community selected me to play in a special event. Also, that I made an impact on the court and that it was noticed. This is a great way to bring the community together for a good time to enjoy each other, play basketball and have fun doing it, which is the most important thing!”
It is clear that the impact this event has on the community is huge and even bigger for Kids Unlimited. “… All the proceeds go to Kids Unlimited, making it a win-win for everyone. We’ve gotten great crowds from the outset and the fans really seem to enjoy the games. They like following their own kids and schools, but they also enjoy seeing kids at different levels they’ve been reading about all winter,” according to Trower.
This year should be no different to years past, as it has a star studded cast. Again, it’s on Friday night, girls tip is set for 6:00 PM and boys is at 7:30 PM. Broadcast can be found on Tablerocksports.net. Here is a list of participants:
Rogue Boys: Brad Allen, North Medford; Kaleb Franklin, South Medford; Peyton Fuller, Ashland; Kiefer Edwards, Crater; James Turnbull, Phoenix; Kasey Copeland, Hidden Valley; Joel McLemore, Cascade Christian; Aaron Hansen, Rogue River; Skylar McLanahan, Illinois Valley; Jarred Gaines, Prospect.
Siskiyou Boys: Kaison Faust, North Medford; Riley Martin, South Medford; Tayler Phillips, Grants Pass; Malik Pippa, Ashland; Mason Vranes, Crater; Mario Quintero, Eagle Point; Owen Hornbeck, North Valley; Ben Dunn, Cascade Christian; Bryce Bramscher, St. Mary’s; Kadin Ault, Butte Falls.
Rogue Girls: Rylee Karrick, North Medford; Ula Chamberlin, South Medford; Hannah Washington, South Medford; Evie Kent, Crater; Carlene Hart, Eagle Point; Kaylee Krusemark, Hidden Valley; Amanda Stewart, North Valley; Emily Stephens, Cascade Christian; Jesse Langfield, Rogue River; Baley VanWormer, Prospect.
Siskiyou Girls: Megan Fossen, North Medford; Lauren Orndoff, South Medford; Jonnay Foote, South Medford; Jordan Kujawski, Grants Pass; Mya Elder-Hammond, Ashland; Sydney Gray, Crater; Kaylene Ritter, Phoenix; Emma Bennion, St. Mary’s; Aundrea Miller, Illinois Valley; Katie Munsell, Butte Falls.
(Rosters were acquired via Mailtribune.com)
