Indiana vs. Kentucky Junior All-Star Game – Top Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The annual Indiana versus Kentucky All-Star series began on Sunday evening as the Indiana Junior All-Stars took on the Kentucky Junior All-Stars at Charlestown High School. Indiana's team was made up of six "Core" team selections along with six "Red Group" players that are made up of players more from the southern half of the state. It was a very competitive game at Charlestown on Sunday afternoon with the Indiana Junior All-Stars ultimately winning 109-99. Prep Hoops Indiana had boots on the ground coverage, as we will at every All-Star event this coming week, for the game. Here are some of the top individual performers from Sunday's action.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2267048"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a1cf75ade6a9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Baker-Lands is the type of player who you can plug into any situation, in any game, and he is going to excel in his role. That was true once again on Sunday for the Indiana Junior All-Stars. His defensive activity level led to four steals in the first half alone and then the shots started to fall. The 6'2" guard went on to finish with 19 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2267046"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a1cf24b4c3e5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It would be hard to hyperbolize just how good [player_tooltip player_id='2267046' first='Jason' last='Gardner Jr.'] was on Sunday afternoon. The 6'1" point guard displayed his elite explosiveness off of the bounce by attacking the basket relentlessly all game long. He scored a game-high 30 points, which included 2-2 shooting from beyond the arc, while also grabbing 7 rebounds and dishing out 6 assists. There was no doubt that he was the best player on the floor between the two teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2122438"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a1cf75ade7dd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gay showed off his physicality while constantly attacking the basket off of the bounce. He was able to play through contact, score at the end of his drives, and work his way to the foul line. The talented 6'6" wing also knocked down a pair of three-point shots on his way to a team-leading 20 points. It was easy to see why Gay is ranked as the #2 prospect in the state by Prep Hoops Kentucky.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2266896"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a1cf75ade8c4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Indiana's #1 ranked prospect in the Class of 2027 dominated the paint as he normally does on Sunday for the Indiana Junior All-Stars. There were some issues on the boards overall, but Hill managed to pull down 7 rebounds while also blocking 3 shots and deterring/altering several more. He also scored 15 points in the game. The recent Purdue commit was excellent on both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2046738"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a1cf75ade983"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This Woodford County High School standout was a consistent scoring threat for the Kentucky Junior All-Stars on Sunday. He had a ton of success off of the dribble scoring it at the end of his drives and showing off a polished mid-range game. Jointer displayed an impressive pop of athleticism as well as the ability to finish through contact as he attacked the basket. He scored 17 points in the loss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2127277"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a1cf75adea69"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">For much of the first half, despite consistently trailing on the scoreboard, it seemed like the Kentucky Junior All-Stars couldn't miss a shot. The primary shot-maker was Langhi who scored 14 of his 17 points in the first half. Kentucky's #1 ranked prospect in the Class of 2027 showed off his interior offensive repertoire. There is so much to like about the skilled, athletic, 6'7" wing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2140419"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a1cf75adeb4c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of Indiana's top stock-risers from the past year or so, Vise was absolutely excellent while helping lead the Indiana Junior All-Stars to victory. He played well in the first half with a couple nice interior finishes, but then opened up the second half with 10 points in a four minute stretch. The 6'8" forward displayed excellent hands, fluid athleticism, and a lot of ball skill for his size. Vise finished with 17 on 7-8 shooting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2140345"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a1cf75adec1d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">You can always count on Zachary to play as hard or harder than everyone else on the floor. That can especially stand out in an All-Star game setting. He was his typical self on Sunday shooting it in from three-point range, dicing the defense up with his passing ability, and leading his team to victory. Zachary connected on three three-point shots on his way to 11 points and 9 assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->