The Pilot News - Davis ready for All-Star week

The team reported for camp Saturday afternoon at Marian College, kicking off an action-packed week that culminates in the annual Indiana-Kentucky All-Star Series this weekend.
After waiting since April for the activities to get under way, Davis said he’s glad the big week finally arrived.
“We’ve all known for a while that we’re on the team,” Davis, a 5-foot-11 guard who averaged 22.9 points per game for the Pilgrims this season, said. “To finally be with everyone, and find out who you’re rooming with is awesome.”
Davis, by the way, is rooming with Butler recruit Gordon Hayward. A 6-8 forward, Hayward hit the game-winning buzzer-beating shot to lift Brownsburg to a 40-39 win over Marion in the Class 4A state championship game in March. Hayward also won the Class 4A Trester Award.
“(Hayward) is a pretty cool guy,” Davis said. “Basketball was actually his second sport. I guess he’s really good at tennis, and he found his passion for basketball more recently. I suppose having a school like Butler looking at you will do that.”
While practice began in earnest Saturday, Davis did play with — and against — his fellow All-Stars Friday in an exhibition game at the historic Knightstown gym, home of the Hickory Huskers of “Hoosiers” fame.
Joined by other senior standouts from throughout the state to fill out a pair of team rosters, Davis’ Terhune squad beat Hickory and Mr. Basketball Tyler Zeller, 118-111, in the annual “Hoosiers” Reunion All-Star Classic.
“That was awesome, just to play there and see how short the court was,” Davis said. “There were signs on the walls. It was old school, with cheerleaders in long skirts. It was a nice experience.
“I played all right,” he added. “I think I hit 2-for-4 from 3-point range and I hit a layup, so I was 3-for-5 from the field.”
With just one practice and a shootaround prior to the game, Davis said playing for Terhune — at least on the offensive end — was a far cry from executing the structured Plymouth offense that he led to four straight regional crowns and the 2007 Class 3A state title.
“There really wasn’t any way to run sets, but we weren’t supposed to just go down and shoot; we were told to pass a couple of times and try to play to get everyone involved,” Davis said. “The size of the court made the game different. There were guys taking two dribbles and pulling up and shooting from just over the half-court line.”
Defensively, though, the game proved right up his alley.
“We had to play half-court man to man,” Davis said. “No pressing, no zone, no traps — for me, it was perfect. Some of the other guys wanted to pick up full court, but they weren’t supposed to. (Friday) night’s game was awesome.”
Friday’s game also tipped off a week packed with practices and games.
The schedule includes a pair of contests against the Indiana Junior All-Stars. The All-Stars play the Junior All-Stars at Washington High School — home of Zeller — Monday, before heading to Marion High School for a rematch Wednesday. The girls’ games start at 6 p.m. both nights, followed by the boys at 8 p.m.
The Indiana All-Stars renew their ancient rivalry with the Kentucky All-Stars Friday in the Indianapolis Star Indiana All-Star Game at Conseco Fieldhouse. The girls play at 6 p.m., the boys at 8 p.m. Davis said he expects teammates, friends and family to make the trek.
“Most of the guys from my high school team are coming down, and I’ll have some friends and family there,” he said. “It’s going to be nice to have some support.”
The activities wrap up Sunday at the Louisville Gardens in the second of the two-game match-up.
Indiana, which carries a seven-game winning streak into Conseco Fieldhouse, leads the boys’ all-time series, 78-41.
And once the final horn sounds Sunday, Davis moves on to his next challenge — a pair of summer school classes at Ball State.
“Right after Kentucky, I go straight from there to Ball State to start classes Monday,” Davis said. “I’ve already got some of my stuff in Muncie. It’s going to be crazy, but, oh well.”