I was watching a program last night in which a former college and pro basketball player was invited back to his high school and spoke to the current team before they took the court.  In the locker room he told those teenagers that he had played in big arenas and earned big dollars but his greatest memories were of his high school days when he wore a uniform with the name of his school on the front.

For many of today’s high school seniors it will likely be years before they realize the same thing.

Tonight at the Pine Belt Arena in Toms River 60 Shore Conference seniors will be introduced for the last time on a basketball court with their name associated with their high school.   It’s the annual Shore Basketball Coaches Association All-Star Games, presented in part by our Shore Sports Network and sponsored by the U.S. Army. The girl’s take the court at 6pm with that group headed up by Kelly Campbell (St. John Vianney), Stephanie Karcz (Middletown South), Kaitlin Lister (TR East) and Sam Bialablocki (Brick Memorial).

The boy’s game is scheduled for 7:45 and will feature such standouts as Brendan Barry (Rumson), Peyton Wejnert (Southern), Ryan Jensen (Manasquan), Lloyd Daniels (Colts Neck) and Amir Tyler (Lakewood).  At halftime of that game we’ll stage the first-ever I’m Possible Training Slam Dunk contest.  Six players are scheduled to take part as they were selected through an online voting contest on shoresportsnetwork.com.  Among them are Ranney freshman Scottie Lewis, Jordan Torney of Manchester and Tim Cook of Toms River East.

Tonight’s doubleheader will be broadcast live on 1160 & 1310AM and shoresportsnetwork.com with Matt Harmon & Ed Sarluca handling the radio call as yours truly will be the public address announcer for the evening.

All Star games are ones in which nobody will remember the final score but hopefully the players enjoy the experience of playing on the same team with those they have competed against in the past.   For families, friends and fans it’s also a last chance to watch many of the shore’s best players on the court at the same time.

The girl’s game is set for 6 p.m. with the boys to follow.

 

 

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