The All-Star basketball games commenced on March 11, 2023. They took place in the South Sevier High School gym. Teams from 1A all the way up to 3A participated. So what are the All-Star games exactly? In each classification 1A-6A, the championship coaches are given a task to choose a handful of players that they believe are the best of the best in their classification (1A, 2A,3A etc.). These players are handpicked and together make the “All-Star” team.
The All-Star team is a team of players from different schools, so there are many different skills, drills and techniques between all the players. 1A and 2A teams play against each other for the ultimate championship round against the 3A All-Star team. For both girls and boys 1A versus 2A teams, it ended in the 2A All-Stars winning and moving on to play the 3A team.
The competition was tough for all teams across the board and was a chance to not only show why each individual person was selected, but to also show good sportsmanship.
Free Throw Competition
After the championship game of champions, more competitions began. A free throw competition started. First up were the girls, who were given the chance to shoot six free throws. The ones that were the most accurate or had made the most shots went into the final round of the free throw competition. The championship round took place during the halftime of the 2A versus 3A girls game. Kenzie Carter from Beaver and Kenzie Allen from Grantsville were the ones who ended up in the final. It was a close game but in the end Allen took the win with an end score of 6 to 4.
3-Point Competition
The next quick All-Star mini game was the 3-point competition. All competitors had to get into pairs and played a quick game of around the world. The goal was to make 10 shots before the other pair could. Only two teams were allowed to go on at a time. First up were the girls. All girls did a great job, but the pair that would shoot against each other were Brooklyn Jessen from Piute and Hailey Durfey from Wayne. They both had a bit of a rough start in the final round and by their 10th shot were tied two for 10. To proclaim a winner, the players began a game of sudden death, which ended with Jessen winning. They did this game during the 2A versus 3A girls basketball game.
Secondly was the boys 3-point game. The championship round for the boys was during the 2A versus 3A boys basketball game. The pair that were up against each other were Hunter Rhodes from Millard and Brant Stevens from Millard. Stevens ended up winning with a score of seven for 10.
Game Outcome
The competition was tough for all teams across the board and was a chance to not only show why each individual person was selected, but to also show good sportsmanship. Even though on the the 1A boys and girls team got to play against the 3A teams, they still showed the talent that can be found in small counties. 1A schools may consist of fewer numbers, but that doesn’t preclude the great students and athletes that are produced.
The 3A girls All-Star team won overall with a score of 112 to 84. The 2A boys All-Star team won with a score of 119 to 114. Good job to all players 1A through 3A!
– by Ari Hurdsman (18) Junction
Feature image caption: The 2023 girls basketball all-star team. Courtesy Tammy Jessen.
Ari Hurdsman – Junction
Ari Hurdsman is a junior journalist at the Byway. She just recently moved to Ephraim, Utah, where she is a freshman at Snow College. She enjoys writing about Piute sports, and she’s really good at it! In her free time, she enjoys singing, dancing, reading and hanging out with friends and family.