For the sixth time, on with The Show.
The Nuggets all-star games for boys and girl prep basketballers will tip off Saturday at the Pepsi Center, sandwiched around the NBA team’s matchup against the Sacramento Kings.
The games feature Colorado’s top high-schoolers at the best venue in the region, and the appeal of taking part has taken hold.
“It’s shaping up like another great year, and we’re very excited,” said Che Vialpando, senior director of ticket sales and direct response marketing for the Nuggets and Avalanche.
Despite competition from club levels – particularly for girls – the Denver game has withstood growing pains, which team officials knew would be necessary, and taken over as the premier offseason basketball event.
“Talent-wise, it seems like it’s getting better,” Vialpando said. “The practices (at the Nuggets’ facility) have been going well, and there has been more participation than in earlier years. It should show in the games.”
The girls will tip off at 3:30 p.m. The boys will get it going as soon as possible after the Nuggets-Kings game, probably near 9:30 p.m.
Included will be players from each of the state’s five classifications, many who took their teams deep into the season-ending tournament.
Ticket packages that include the NBA game are on sale, phone 303-405-1212.
Starring in The Show
Blue team, boys: Pierre Allen, Thomas Jefferson; Devon Beitzel, Centaurus; Brent Cass, Pawnee; Dallas Elmore, Poudre; Ray Hall, Mullen; Levi Knutson, Arapahoe; Tyson Liggett, Limon; Jake Nielson, Grandview; Nate Rohnert, Chaparral; and Donnell Wells, East. Coach: Porter Cutrell, Mullen.
White team, boys: Curtis Ashe, Sierra; Matt Bouldin, ThunderRidge; Will Figures, Smoky Hill; Elgin Fitzgerald, Palmer; Stephen Franklin, Aurora Central; Jacob Houghton, Rocky Mountain; Trevor Oliver, Gateway; Grant Parker, Cherry Creek; Sam Phippen, Durango; and Robby Pride, Kent Denver. Coach: Bruce Dick, Rocky Mountain.
Blue team, girls: Mallory Cline, McClave; Laura Haugen, Poudre; Meghan Heimstra, Silver Creek; Stephanie Hejde, Rocky Mountain; Chelsea Lyles, Harrison; Katie Mihalco, Regis; Blakelee Midyett, Golden; Lindsey Moller, Longmont; Aija Putnina, Regis; and Ali Thorderson, Highlands Ranch. Coach: Dick Peecher, McClave.
White team, girls: Alison Cheney, Platte Valley; Megan Cherry, Durango; Kelsey Gourdin, Heritage; Jayna Hartig, ThunderRidge; Lauren Holm, Dakota Ridge; Dana Iverson, Fort Collins; Raysha Ritter, Grand Junction; Allison Rosel, Doherty; Justine Sandersfeld, Limon; and Emily Stockman, Doherty. Coach: Craig Mortensen, Moffat County.
NOTE: Melissa Jones, Legacy; Jaclyn Thoman, Highlands Ranch; Hannah Tuomi, Horizon; and Katie Calderwood, Broomfield; were selected but will be unable to play.
