Loads of talent will play in Blair Classic

For those who didn’t get to witness Lewis and Clark’s Washington State 4A title victory over Moses Lake, they’ll get a taste of that matchup during the 15th Jack Blair Memorial Girls AAU All-Star Basketball Classic on May 29 at 7:30 p.m. at University High School.

Moses Lake Chiefs Carly Noyes and Jordan Loera are members of this year’s Region squad that Classic promoter Ron Adams called the best one by far.

“They have nine Division I kids,” said Adams. “In my opinion, trust me, all these kids will sign.”

Noyes is an active 6-foot-5 junior who scored 16 points in a 42-37 loss to LC’s Tigers in the title game. Loera is a freshman guard, the added piece that got the Chiefs to their first state tournament and championship appearance.

LC players Brittany Kennedy, Jeneva Anderson and Sarah Kliewer anchor the opposing 2008 Metro Stars, adding intrigue to an already interesting matchup.

“These girls play more basketball than ever before,” said Adams. “All are on (traveling) club teams.”

The Region Stars have never won in the Jack Blair Memorial series, but have perhaps their best chance this year.

In addition to the Moses Lake duo, four players – Kama Griffitts, Idaho 5A player of the year, Ali Johnson, 6-2 freshman Carli Rosenthal and Sadie Simon – hail from state champion Coeur d’Alene. Also on the roster is repeat Idaho Gatorade Player of the Year Katie Baker from Lake City.

“They have big-time posts,” said Adams. “This is the best all-around team they’ve had.”

The Metro Stars come exclusively from the Greater Spokane League and feature Washington State-bound Lexie Pettersen as well as Oregon State recruit Kennedy and a wealth of speedy guards.

“This is probably the fastest team they’ve had,” said Adams.

Mead sophomore Jazmine Redmon, Gonzaga Prep freshman Tia Presley and Central Valley senior Justine Bowman are among the burners.

Jack Blair rules dictate that teams play half-court man-to-man defense in the first half, which favors the Region. Teams can press in the second half, which favors the Metros.

“It will be state champions and coaches from both states going against each other,” said Adams. “I think this will be the best game ever in 15 years.”

Three former players in this series – Gonzaga University’s Jami Bjorklund, her sister Angie of national champion Tennessee and ex-University of Washington starter Katelan Redmon – are scheduled to hand out awards and sign autographs.

Basketballs from Gonzaga and Tennessee will be raffled.

“It’s the only all-star game for girls basketball that stands on its own merits,” said Adams.

The tournament is named for the late Jack Blair, the former CV girls basketball coach who, with Adams, founded the Spokane Stars in 1982. He was assistant principal and activities coordinator at LC when he died of a cerebral hemorrhage in 1994. The Jack Blair Memorial scholarship was created there in his honor.