Hosted by Innisdale Secondary School, the junior Gryphons sent their captain Mitch Burnett, small forward; assistant captain Chris Brown, shooting guard; and Drew Schofield, point guard to the annual game on April 22.

The crowd was loud and raucous for the evening game that showcased the best talents in the Simcoe County region with an emphasis on offence.

It was divided into three, five-minute shifts with the three-point shooting competition at the half and a second half of four, five-minute shifts.

Brown was excited when he got the word he would be playing in his first all-star game.

“It was exciting to play with people my skill level and it was good experience,” he said.

“(The crowd) was really into it. It was a fun time.”

He only started playing competitive ball last year and was nervous before the start, but quickly settled down.

In the three-point competition, his cool helped him sink 10 shots in a minute.

“I did better than I thought I would. I placed fifth out of 15 people,” he said.

This game gave him the opportunity to play on the same team as people he played against in the season. However, due to a game decision to make teams according to coaches’ discretion, he played against teammate Burnett, who also played in his first all-star game.

“It was real exciting. They were really good,” he said. “I am appreciative to have taken part in the game.”

A major difference between that game and a regular season game was the greater skill, height and speed among the players and game, he said.

GHS coach Aaron Beausoleil could not have been prouder of his players.

“This game is an opportunity for our players to gain recognition and make contacts with club coaches to further their development as basketball players,” Beausoleil said. “I also think that it is an exciting opportunity for younger players to look forward to their opportunity in future years and to work hard to achieve that goal.”

They had the unique opportunity to send two additional players than the usual single school representative.

The coaching staff was contacted a month ago for the opportunity and was given an additional place. Instead of only sending two, the team was given one more slot.

Beausoleil said Burnett and Schofield kept in shape and game-ready with pickup ball while Brown practised his three-point shooting every morning leading up to the game.