The best basketball players of the season met at Gering High School on May 27, where they were assigned to either the Red all-stars or Blue all-stars for the 28th Annual Prep All-Star basketball game.
The girl’s game started at 5:30 p.m. and the boys followed them at 7:30 p.m. There was a dunk contest at halftime of the girls’ game, with the three-point finals taking place between the games.
Two boys, Jayden McCracken and Kellen Muhr, and two girls, Angie Davis and Avah Stegall from Alliance, qualified to play in the All-Star basketball games.
Jayden McCracken and Kellen Muhr got assigned to the Red all-stars team, where they got to be teammates for the All-Star game.
McCracken, a recent graduate of Alliance High School who is heading to Kearney in the fall to study kinesiology and physical therapy, was on fire in the first quarter.
“I had a great first half. I was 6/6 or something like that. Had 10 in the first and five in the second for 15 total for the half. I cooled off in the second half, but the other guys took control. It was a blast, though, playing with the guys I played against during the season and putting on the Bulldog jersey one more time,” said McCracken.
Angie Davis and Avah Steggall were assigned to opposite teams: Davis the Red all-stars and Steggall on the Blue all-stars.
The final score for the girls’ all-star basketball game was 89-85, with the Red all-stars coming out on top. Steggall and Davis were thrilled with their performances and had fun. The experience of them playing in their last all-star game was bittersweet.
Steggall, a recent graduate of Alliance High School, committed to North Plate Community College to play Volleyball next year. She played a good game and started on the Blue all-star team. She had a bittersweet moment when playing her final game for the Bulldogs.
“I think I played hard in the all-star game and showed what Alliance is about. Unfortunately, it was my last game, but I’m glad I ended at this point being able to play in the all-star game,” said Steggall.
Angie Davis also had a good game playing on the Red all-star team. She is also a recent graduate and committed to playing basketball at Doane University next year.
“I felt good about my performance. It was an enjoyable experience to play with all the best players from the west. We all became close friends and played really well together. I was happy to end my high school career at the all-star game,” said Davis.
The game was a bittersweet experience for the recent graduates and an experience that they will remember for years to come.