Published: March 28, 2008 04:35 pm            

All-star games reward Johnson County athletes for solid play

When a high school athlete is selected for an all-star team, even the casual fan knows that player has had a stellar season.

Three Johnson County basketball players have garnered all-star game invitations based on their play this season.

Rio Vista’s Katie Martin played in the Maypearl 2008 Texas Roundup this past weekend, and a pair of area athletes will be competing at Mineral Wells High School on Saturday night.

Cleburne’s Jared Hance and Godley’s Chelsea Brooks were selected for the 2008 Mineral Wells Area Chamber of Commerce-Chicken Express All-Star Basketball Classic.

All-star games allow players to not only build camaraderie with players from other teams, but it exposes them to a different playing style.

Martin said after scoring five points in Saturday’s game that taking the court with different teammates than she was used to at Rio Vista was fun, but it took an adjustment.

Players have become accustomed to hearing the voices of their coaches and teammates over the past several months of practices and games, but if they plan on playing at the college level, they’ll have to adjust to new voices in the back of their heads.

In professional sports, fans generally don’t get into the whole all-star game experience because the players don’t take it as seriously and the play is often ragged.

That wasn’t the case Saturday, as both teams were able to put on an offensive show with players who hadn’t previously played together.

There were a few errant passes and other miscues on the court because of the lack of familiarity, but the fans in the jam-packed gym were treated to a thrilling girls game.

I didn’t stay for the boys game since no Johnson County players were involved, but I will be courtside in Mineral Wells on Saturday to watch Brooks and Hance showcase their abilities in front of what should be an excited crowd.

Hopefully, Brooks and Hance will have a memorable experience as they put on a high school basketball jersey for the last time.

That’s what all-star games are all about.



Matt Tasler can be reached at 817-558-2855, ext. 2334

        

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