The Front Row with JASON ELLIOTT March 17, 2010

Stars don't disappoint at NIC

Some of the best high school basketball players came to North Idaho College over the weekend to compete in the seventh annual Idaho All-Star Game at Christianson Gym.

Although the South won both games by a big margin, players from the North were able to steal the show away, putting on some of their best scoring efforts of the season in what could be their final home games in the state.

POST FALLS senior Katelyn Loper, who has already committed to Hofstra University, played arguably her best game of the season, scoring 36 points in the girls game.

Loper had six points before most fans had even found their way into Christianson Gym on a pair of 3-pointers in the first 30 seconds of the game.

What was even more impressive - Loper hadn't played in almost a month after injuring her shoulder in a regional playoff game at Lake City. But following some rest and therapy, Loper was back out on the court, mainly because she wanted to give something back to the North Idaho fans that had rooted for her the past four years.

"I've always had a lot of support from our fans," Loper said. "I just wanted one more chance to play in front of them."

Following that performance, I'm guessing there are a few fans that are going to be tuning in again next year, no matter where the game is.

LOPER held the overall scoring title in the game's seven-year history until Sandpoint senior Stefan Buratto stepped up and scored 42 points in the boys game.

Buratto, who hasn't decided on a college, played well enough on Saturday to prove a point that he can compete at the next level, no matter if it's a junior college or Division I school.

Regardless of where he ends up, he definitely caught the attention of a few coaches.

"I haven't made up my mind where I'm going quite yet," said Buratto following his co-MVP performance.

Considering that four of the previous MVPs in this game have ended up playing at NIC, only time will tell if it happens again.

ALL-STAR games aren't over quite yet as a lot of the athletes from the North squad will compete in the District I All-Star at the Mullan Pavilion on Friday.

Anyone that's a fan of the Inland Empire, North Star, Intermountain and North Star League will be in luck as a lot of those players that didn't make the NIC game get another game before graduation.

In watching these games for almost a decade, the games get better each year between the area schools.

Should be another good chance for fans to watch the stars shine on Friday.

Jason Elliott is a sports writer for the Coeur d'Alene Press. He can be reached by phone at 664-0239 or via e-mail at jelliott@cdapress.com.