KNIGHTSTOWN — It was just like any other all-star basketball game.
It was nothing like any other all-star basketball game.
There was a lot of shooting, not a lot of passing, nor defense, plenty of 3-point shot attempts and, in the boys game, plenty of dunks.
Just like any other all-star game.
But this really wasn’t like any other all-star game.
Played at historic Hoosier Gym in Knightstown, home of the Hickory Huskers in the 1986 movie “Hoosiers” this was a special Saturday afternoon for Hancock County basketball stars Ian Stephens and Isabella Gizzi, from New Palestine, and Dylan Moles, from Greenfield-Central. All seniors playing their final high school game with other top stars across the state.
Greenfield-Central boys basketball coach Luke Meredith, and the Cougars junior varsity coach, Will Bolden, led the Hickory Huskers team against rival Terhune.
One of the most well-know sports movies ever made was inspired by Milan High School’s 1954 boys basketball state championship.
There were no under-handed free throws or coaches getting tossed from the game, but that didn’t mean there wasn’t a feel of being sent back to the 1950s and being part of a movie that let the world know what Indiana high school basketball meant in the Hoosier state.
Stephens said knowing the movie and being able to play in the gym was a great experience, but felt kind of strange, at times.
“Seeing movements from fans and players so similar to the movie, during the game, it kind of trips you out,” Stephens said. “The gym is so small (seating only around 400) but so big at the same time. It (felt like) you were in the movie.”
“It was awesome,” Moles said. “Growing up just 20 minutes away from where one of the most famous movies (was shot), I think anybody that grows up in Indiana knows the “Hoosiers” movie. I’ve never got to play here (until Saturday)
“It’s a smaller gym, obviously. You hear everything everybody is saying. You could hear little remarks that people in the stands were saying. It was a lot of fun.”
It was an extra special day for the Greenfield-Central contingent. It was the final time Meredith and Bolden would coach Moles.
“It was great, awesome,” Meredith said. “It was a cool, unique experience, and getting to coach Dylan again, and being here with the history of Indiana basketball, it was awesome.”
For Gizzi, in the girls game, it was like a basketball reunion.
It was a final time to play with and against friends she had met by playing basketball.
She was the only Hancock County participant in the girls game, but she had a chance to play against a conference and nearby rival Kylee Edwards from Shelbyville and another Shelby County foe in Triton Central’s Lizzie Graham.
Gizzi played for Hickory and Edwards and Graham were part of the Terhune team.
“It was really cool and the (gym) was a lot smaller than I thought,” Gizzi said. “I liked how it felt like home and how everyone takes so much pride in the gym. I can’t even describe (what it was like playing here). It was different.
“I have a lot of respect for all of the all-stars. Whenever I play with them, it reminds me what an honor it is to be here. I’ve played and grown up with them since I was little. It’s kind of sad to watch us go different ways, but it’s time.”
In the girls game, Terhune won 113-102. Gizzi scored four points for the Huskers.
It was a Terhune sweep. The Tigers won the boys contest 137-124. Noblesville’s Luke Almodovar, who played for Terhune, set a new all-star game record by scoring 41 points.
Stephens, playing for Terhune, scored nine points, which included a dunk.
For Hickory, Moles had 14 points including a pair of 3-pointers.
“The most fun was being able to see everybody,” Stephens said. “All of these guys have played a lot of basketball together throughout the years. We all know each other. All of our parents know each other. It’s really cool to see some people you haven’t seen in a long time and catch up.
“It’s been fun.”
