Four Hamilton County players selected to IndyStar Boys All-Star Futures Games

The REPORTER

Four Hamilton County basketball players, including two from Fishers are among the 24 players that have been named to the rosters for the 2024 IndyStar boys’ All-Star “Futures Game,” All-Star games director Mike Broughton announced Sunday (April 14).

The Futures Games, one each for boys and girls, are a second-year part of the Indiana All-Star basketball program. The Futures Games will pair teams of current Indiana freshmen and sophomores in a North-South format. The second Futures Games will be played Monday, June 3 at Hamilton Southeastern High School. The girls’ game is set for 6 p.m., and the boys’ game will follow about 8 p.m.

Freshmen Jason Gardner Jr. and Cooper Zachary of Fishers and sophomore Justin Curry II have been selected to the North Team. They will be joined by sophomores Kai McGrew and Brennan Miller of Lawrence North, sophomore Camden Bell of Wapahani, sophomore Terrence Hayes Jr. of Gary 21st Century, sophomore Reginald Hinton of Gary West, freshman Elijah King of South Bend Saint Joseph, sophomore Steven Reynolds III of South Bend Washington, sophomore Ethan Roseman of Indianapolis Bishop Chatard and sophomore Dikembe Shaw of Crown Point on the North squad.

Sophomore Evan Harrell of Carmel has been selected to the South Team. Completing that squad are sophomores Luke Ertel and Julien Smith of Mount Vernon, freshman J.J. Craig of Warren Central, sophomore Kasen Daeger of Silver Creek, sophomore DeZhon Hall of Pike, sophomore Edward Hazelett III of Franklin Central, sophomore James Kalala of Southport, freshman Jaylan Mitchell of Evansville Reitz, sophomore Blake Neill of Bloomfield, sophomore Treigh Schelsky of Parke Heritage and sophomore Eli Sego of Triton Central.

Trent Whitaker of New Palestine is head coach for the North Team. He will be assisted by Travis Hannah of John Glenn. Brent Dalrymple of North Daviess is head coach for the South Team. He will be assisted by Paul Ferguson of Columbus North.

Whitaker is 138-90 in nine seasons at New Palestine, including sectional titles in 2019, 2020, 2023 and 2024. Hannah has a 218-176 record in 17 seasons at John Glenn and 311-265 in 25 seasons as a varsity coach. His record includes four sectional titles, three regional crowns, one semi-state trophy and the 2007 Class A state championship when he was at Oregon-Davis.

Dalrymple is 355-228 in 24 seasons at North Daviess. His ledger includes seven sectional titles, four regional crowns, one semi-state trophy and the 2022 Class A state championship. Ferguson is 123-86 in nine seasons at Columbus North, including a sectional title in 2023. His overall mark is 256-141 in 16 seasons, including a 133-55 mark in seven seasons at Wheaton Academy in Illinois.

Players and coaches for the All-Star Futures Games are picked by a Futures Games committee chaired by Broughton. The players for the 2024 girls’ Futures Game were announced on March 29. In a change from last year, the 2024 Futures Games will feature only freshmen and sophomores. The inaugural Futures Games in 2023 included freshmen, sophomores and juniors.

In the inaugural boys’ Futures Game, Braylon Mullins of Greenfield-Central scored 16 points to lead a balanced South Team to a 100-96 victory. K.J. Windham of Ben Davis added 15 points, while Jack Benter of Brownstown Central and Azavier Robinson of Lawrence North each netted 14 points, Taray Howell of Evansville Bosse chipped in 12 points and Brennan Miller of Lawrence North had 10 points for the winners. Flory Bidunga collected MVP honors after totaling game highs of 21 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks for the North. Ajani Washington, then of Fort Wayne Concordia, added 20 points. Sabien Cain of University had 17 points.

In the first girls’ Futures Game, Maya Makalusky of Hamilton Southeastern scored 15 points and Jordyn Poole of Fort Wayne Snider tallied 11 points as the North girls defeated the South girls 73-63. Talia Harris of Fishers added eight points, nine rebounds, five assists and two steals for the North and was named Game MVP. Jaylah Lampley of Lawrence Central and Juliann Woodard of Jennings County each scored 12 points to pace the South girls.

The Indiana All-Stars program was founded in 1939 when the Indiana boys’ All-Stars played the state champion Frankfort Hot Dogs. The All-Star series with Kentucky began in 1940, and the girls’ portion of the All-Stars was added in 1976. The Junior All-Stars, boys and girls, were added in 1996. The Futures Games doubleheader was added in 2023.

The Indiana portion of the All-Star Games is organized and produced by the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association. The Indianapolis Star, with its IndyStar brand, is the title sponsor. Hoosier Shooting Academy is a presenting partner for All-Star week. Energy Systems Group is a presenting partner for the Saturday doubleheader against Kentucky.