North-South All-Star Basketball Classic Preview

Today, the South Charleston Community Center plays host to the North-South All-Star Basketball Classic. The skills competition kicks off at 6:45 p.m. with the tip-off at 7:30 p.m. For my full preview on the game, click here for my Daily Mail article.

Several of the state's most notable graduated seniors will not be participating, including Morgantown product/West Virginia commit Nathan Adrian. Hedgesville's Chris Shields, who once signed with Longwood University before being granted his release, will also not play. From the southern half of the state, Shady Spring's Chase Connor will not play either.

Though some of the state's top players will not be in attendance, both rosters boast plenty of talent as 18 of the 26 athletes will play collegiate basketball, game director Bill Gillispie said.

For my full preview on the game, check out www.dailymail.com

Below are some extra quotes that did not make my preview article.

I'll be covering the North-South game for The Daily Mail. For live updates, follow me on Twitter at @nickbrockman


Chuck Elkins, North coach /Buffalo boys basketball coach
-on working to find the team's strength/identity
“The first half of the first practice we’ll size everybody up and see who fits the spots we’re looking for. I don’t know exactly how we’ll line up, whether we’ll try to go with two post men or one post man or four out or three out, just feel out who we have and what we have. The second practice, we’ll probably try to put in some plays and see what we can do.”

-on the style of game he expects
“We have to play man-to-man at all times, so probably a lot of pick-and-rolls, passing cutting to the basket, a lot of open one-on-one plays is about all we can do.”


Bill Gillespie, North-South director/Charleston Catholic athletic director
-on the style of play/matchups
“I’m sure there will be grudge matches.”

-on game's unique rules
“You can’t press unless you’re down 10 and there’s no zone defense. It’s basically just man-to-man, so everyone can run a basic motion offense.”


Dave Rogers, South coach/Martinsburg coach
-on how he expects game to flow
“You have to let them play and you have to let them have fun, but at the same time you’re there to win the ballgame. They keep score, so you want to win the game. You have to make sure with all-star players that they share the ball.”