20th annual 6 County all-star game set for Friday

During a break in Wednesday’s practice for the 20th annual 6 County Boys and Girls Senior Basketball Game, Manteca coach Brett Lewis walked past Enochs coach Randy Rubio and said, “Man, I’m hungry.”

That was about the extent of any strategy sessions between the coaches, who will team up to lead the Blue squad in Friday night’s game at Enochs High School.

And, really, why should they discuss strategy? The players know what to do, and fans don’t want to watch these players run an offense. Spectators want to see players running up and down the court, throwing down dunks at every possible turn.

Coaching on Wednesday consisted mainly of watching the players in a full-court pickup game – a game that saw Modesto Christian big man Anthony Townes running the point on fast breaks, as well as hoisting up three-pointers – and making a few of them.

And if that’s not enough, MC guard Jeff Wu, a lethal marksman from long range, was posting up defenders on the block.

“We’re just trying to have some fun playing with the best players in the county,” said Townes, momentarily forgetting that the game not only features the best from Stanislaus County, but from Merced, San Joaquin, Mariposa, Tuolumne and Calaveras counties, as well. “Everyone wants to show why they belong here, so they’ll pass and do all the little things, but they want to have fun, too.”

For the 6-foot-6 Townes, bringing the ball up court on the break wasn’t the craziest thing he did during the workout. The craziest thing he did was participate without wearing a mouthpiece. Considering that he had his braces removed on Wednesday, one would think he’d be paranoid about catching a wayward elbow with his dazzling new smile.

“Nah, it builds character,” the Stanislaus District’s Player of the Year quipped.

Beyer’s Kyle McKim and Turlock’s Doug Cornfoot will coach the Red team in Friday’s game.

For the girls, Sonora’s Amy Santos and Turlock’s Mark Musselman will coach the Blue team and Golden Valley’s Matt Thissen and Orestimba’s Scott Felber will lead the Red team.

The girls game tips off Friday’s slate at 6 p.m., with the boys game getting underway at 8 p.m., just after a slam-dunk contest. Townes and Sonora’s Kahale Warring from the Blue team and Joshua Patton and Kimball’s Peter Van Katwyk will participate in the dunk showdown.

Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for students.

This story was originally published April 29, 2015 at 10:02 PM with the headline "20th annual 6 County all-star game set for Friday."