Tonight at the Pelham Civic Complex in Pelham, AL, the best of two states’ seniors, Mississippi and Alabama, will meet in an all-star classic that features current Memphis target Eric Bledsoe (2009 PG) and former target Christian Watford (2009 SF). Bledsoe’s list, despite rumors that it has been cut, still has Memphis as a potential destination. Watford will play his college ball next year at Indiana University.
Butler High boys basketball coach Jack Doss is the coach of the Alabama All-Star team. “I have really been impressed with our guards, especially Kerron Johnson (of Madison Academy) and Eric Bledsoe (of Parker),” Doss said.
Doss’ Butler team defeated Eric Bledsoe’s Parker team to take home the Class 5A State Championship. ”We played against Bledsoe in the state finals this year. He moved over from Hayes when that school closed,” explained Doss. ”We also have Ed Daniels of Woodlawn inside. He was a teammate of Eric’s at Hayes.”
The Mississippi boys’ roster is highlighted by Mississippi State signees Shaunessy Smith. Billy Hamilton, also a guard, is headed to Starkville as well but as a wide receiver for the Bulldogs’ football team. Players for both teams were scheduled to report for practice March 18. The players said they expected competitive games, contrary to the popular image of basketball all-star games featuring players “showing off,” as Watford put it.
Alabama’s boys are 9-9 since the Classic began in 1991 and 3-3 since it moved to Pelham in 2003. The Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic basketball games will be played at the Pelham Civic Complex tonight at 7 p.m. The night will also include a slam-dunk contest. According to a press release, tickets for the Alabama-Mississippi Classic can be obtained through the ticket office at the Pelham Civic Complex by calling (205)620-6448.
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