Reed enjoying All-Star experience
By JOSH SIGLER, sigler.josh@gmail.com
Tuesday, June 13, 2006 11:54 PM EDT
Courtney Reed is sending her high school basketball career out in style, getting the chance to play in the annual Indiana/Kentucky All-Star game .
Leading up to the interstate battle, Reed, along with many of her fellow Indiana all-stars, competed in the Hoosier's Reunion All-Star Classsic at the historic Hoosier Gym in Knightstown.
The classic was to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the making of the movie “Hoosiers” - based on the 1954 Milan state championship team - that was filmed in Knightstown
“It was really neat,” Shelley Reed, Courtney's mother, said.
“The players and cheerleaders wore old-fashioned uniforms. Everyone must have been really small back then, because the bleachers were really tight. Everyone seemed to have a lot of fun.
Reed played well, scoring seven pointsin the losing effort as her Hickory squad was defeated by the Terhune team 91-82.
“She had a pretty good game,” Shelley Reed said.
Susan Lester of Pendleton led Hickory with 16 points, and Pike's Ashley Barlow of Terhune led all scorers in the contest with 23.
The Hoosier classic was a final tune up for the teams as they will take on Kentucky on Saturday, June 17, in Bowling Green.
For Reed, the experience has been much different than her playing days at Northfield.
“We stay very busy,” she said.
“We have two practices a day and we are always doing team things, like eating at sponsored dinners and hanging out with kids.”
All-star practice is also a change.
“Practice has been intense; there is alot of learning,” Reed said.
“We have two practices a day, and it's not a cake walk. Everyone is sore - it's a good prep for college.”
The boys and girls all-star teams will return from Kentucky to take on the Kentucky All-stars June 24 at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
“There are just different concepts to learn at this level,” Reed said.
“You're used to being the go-to person on your team, and here its not necessarily like that. You can't do things like take posessions off, because there's a girls who's just as good ready to take your place.”
Reed's All-Star coach, Julie Shelton, a former All-Star herself, feels good about her team.
“We're pretty good in each position,” she said in a recent interview. “As long as we jel and find a group that can work together, we're going to have a good experience.”
The boys team features national player of the year Greg Oden, and teammate Mike Conley of Lawrence North, who will continue their careers next year at Ohio State University.
Reed will be heading to Ohio to play college ball as well, deciding on Miami University in Oxford.
Reed is staying in touch with her future college coach, Maria Fantanarosa, letting her know how the experience is going.
“I called her earlier in the week,but we didn't really have time to tell her much,” she said.
“I'm going to check up with her tomorrow.”
Reed understands that this is a once-in-a lifetime opportunity.
“You just can't take any of this for granted,” she said.
“This is a cool experience with girls that I have gotten to know over the past few years playing with them on other all-star teams. I will never forget them.
“It's such an honor to be one of the top 12 basketball players in the state of Indiana, having the opportunity to represent our state and wear that jersey.”
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