Indian Creek’s Faith Wiseman goes up for a rebound Kentucky All-Star Ramiya White tries to knock the ball away during Friday’s game in Lexington, Kentucky.
Rob Baker | For the Daily Journal
INDIANAPOLIS
Micah Davis completed his Franklin career with 1,296 points, and still had a point to make.
On Saturday night, he did.
One of four Johnson County players selected to be Indiana All-Stars, Davis, a 6-foot-2 lefthander did what he could to make his presence known in a 92-89 victory over the Kentucky All-Stars at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Three local girls players, Indian Creek center Faith Wiseman and the Center Grove duo of Audrey Annee and Rachel Wirts, represented the state in the night’s opener, a 66-64 come-from-behind Indiana win.
Led by Mr. Basketball Flory Bidunga of Kokomo, he of the six rim-abusing slam dunks before halftime, the Indiana boys defeated their Bluegrass rivals, avenging a 103-82 loss the night before in Lexington.
For Davis, who leaves June 14 to begin summer workouts at Eastern Kentucky University, the chance to wear the All-Star uniform and make new friendships along the way will always be cherished.
“As a senior, just playing with this group of guys … it’s a good opportunity to go out here and play on an NBA court in front of a good crowd,” Davis said. “Not that many people get to make the Indiana All-Star team, so it’s good recognition for your family, school, college and city.
“And it’s just good to be able to represent Indiana.”
Davis finished his final game as a high schooler with 11 points and a rebound. Nine of his points came in the second half.
The 6-4 Wiseman and 6-3 Wirts both expressed similar thoughts following their team’s win, in which Indiana recovered from a 17-percent shooting performance in the first half to complete a home-and-home sweep.
Those believing the Indiana All-Star experience has been diluted over the course of time haven’t met the 2024 Indiana girls squad.
“Sometimes I feel like that is, but not with our group,” said Wirts, who finished with three rebounds. “I think everyone in our group takes pride in that. Each person wanted to represent the name on the chest, the name on their back, the high school they’re playing for and the college they’re attending.
“I knew all of the girls going into this, and I had played against most of them, so it was really cool to actually spend time together and build some of those relationships.”
Wiseman got the start and didn’t disappoint, scoring 10 points, grabbing eight rebounds and blocking three shots. She was also credited with two assists and a steal.
The Indiana University recruit proved instrumental in the All-Stars’ comeback after they trailed 34-25 at halftime.
Her layup off a Talia Harris (Fishers) feed at 5:51 of the third quarter trimmed the margin to 39-33. Another layup, this time off a pass from Jennings County’s Juliann Woodard, put the Indiana All-Stars ahead, 50-49, half a minute into the final stanza.
Wiseman continued her contributions late, with an assist to Miss Basketball Chloe Spreen (Bedford North Lawrence) for a layup to make it 62-59 with 1:37 remaining; she also blocked a Kentucky shot 24 seconds later.
“There’s definitely a lot of nerves, especially playing on this really amazing court,” Wiseman said. “Everyone on the team is such a high-level ball player that everyone can score, everyone can play good defense. It’s just about learning your role in how to better the team, and what to do to get a win.
“I kind of figured, I’ll play good D, get rebounds and score when I’m open. I felt like our team really came together throughout this game, especially when we were down by so much.”
Annee, a 5-9 guard who leaves later this month to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point, scored two points on a pair of first-half free throws.
