Indiana boys romp Kentucky all-stars

By Keith Thomas
Summer Editor

The talent-rich Indiana boys all-star basketball team was able to easily dispose of Kentucky's all-stars 116-100 on Saturday night at Conseco Fieldhouse.

The Indiana boys shot over 56 percent from the field in completing the two-game sweep of the neighbors to the south. Last week, the Indiana all-stars blew out the Kentucky boys by a final of 115-83.

Led by 24 points apiece from Michigan State recruit Zach Randolph and Indiana's Mr. Basketball, Jared Jeffries, Indiana built as much as a 21 point lead over Kentucky Saturday night.

Fittingly, Jeffries, who has committed to IU, and Randolph both averaged 24 points per game their senior years — the same number they both scored Saturday to end their high school careers with.

Although the future of the Big Ten Conference was in dominating form on Saturday — Iowa recruit Brody Boyd scored six points and Indiana recruit Andre Owens added 11 — the trio of Purdue recruits did not perform as well as they did a week ago.

"It's just part of the game," said future Boilermaker Brett Buscher, a 6-8 forward from Chesterton (Ind.) High School. "But, it's just been a blast the last two weeks, hanging out with the guys and making new friends."

Buscher found himself in early foul trouble, picking up his third and fourth fouls within 40 seconds of each other with less than four minutes to play in the first half.

Fellow Purdue recruits Austin Parkinson of Northwestern-Kokomo and John Standeford of Monrovia combined for only three points, three assists and two rebounds. The lone basket between the two was a last minute three-pointer from Standeford, leaving Parkinson as the only Indiana boys team member without a point.

Buscher, who scored 21 points in last weeks romping of Kentucky, finished with eight points and four rebounds. Buscher said that although Saturday's performance wasn't exactly how he wanted to perform in his high school send-off game he is looking forward to working out at Mackey with his future teammates.

"I'm ready to move on and get ready for the college game," said Buscher.

"High school's over and although it's been a lot of fun this is the end of it and it's time to move on."

Move on is what the trio of Boilers-to-be are going to do now; however, the three all-stars realize that the red and white shoes they were wearing for the all-star classic might not be appropriate to wear in Mackey Arena.

"We joked around about that and the fact that this was the last time we'd ever be saying 'go Indiana'," said Parkinson.

Parkinson, who is Northwestern High School's all-time leader in scoring (1,667), assists (673) and steals (378), is ready to begin some summer workouts in preparation for his Boiler debut next season.

"Physically, if I can get there, I think I'll have an opportunity to play," said Parkinson. "I'm really excited about it."

Parkinson and Buscher began working out with the Purdue team today. Standeford too will be working out with the team over the next few days, except not the basketball team.

"I'm looking forward to going to Purdue and playing some football," said Standeford, who was recruited by coach Joe Tiller to play receiver for the football team.

Standeford does, however, plan on trying out for coach Gene Keady's basketball team, although he is not sure if it will be this year or next.