BRYAN – Senior high school all-stars will be squaring off in the 35th annual Four County All-Star Cage Classic on Friday, April 6 at the Bryan High School, 1000 W. Fountain Grove Dr., Bryan.
The doors open at 6 p.m. with the girls’ game beginning at 7 p.m. The battle is between the East team with senior all-star players from Fulton and Henry Counties against the West team from Defiance and Williams Counties. All 23 high schools in the four counties participate in the event.
The East boys lead the series 22-12, with the East boys winning last year’s game, 103-85. The East girls also lead the series 18-16, with the West girls winning last year’s game 69-54.
Tickets are now on sale at all 23 high schools participating. Tickets will also be available at the gate. The biggest winner at the All-Star Cage Classic is Special Olympics. During the past 34 years, $189,191 has been donated to the Special Olympic programs in the four counties participating.
All officials, timekeepers, scorers, ticket takers, announcers and coaches donate the evening to Special Olympics. All proceeds are divided evenly among the four counties participating. A Special Olympic basketball game is held during the halftime of the boys’ game. Each year the Special Olympians receive a standing ovation from an appreciative audience. A 3-point contest for the Special Olympians is held at half time of the girls’ game.
A high school slam dunk contest and 3-point shoot-off is held between the boys and girls games. Coaching the East team for the boys is Ron Rouleau of Delta High School and coaching the West boys team is Bodi Kaufman of Fairview High School. Girls all-star team coaches are Kyle Tietje of Tinora High School for the West and Eric Oakes of Swanton High School for the East.
The Bryan Times has been the sponsor of the event since its inception.