Pressure's off for Senior All-Stars

Updated: April 25, 2011 6:22AM

HAMMOND - The court was filled with smiling faces. Players happy to reunite. And coaches happy to once again lead some of the best the region has to offer.

Of course, with the stress of the postseason now lifted, there's plenty to smile about for the members of the Northwest Indiana All-Star Classic teams.

Friday night's practice at Purdue Calumet's Fitness and Recreation Center was a chance for the Senior All-Stars, who play Saturday night following the Future All-Stars' 6 p.m. game, to sharpen some of their skills. After all, the IHSAA season has been over for weeks.

There are two teams of 10 players in the Seniors game and all but one are from an NWI team.

Adonis Filer, who'll suit up on East Chicago coach Abe Brown's White team, is going to treat the game like any other. Filer was the leading scorer for Bishop Noll, which went undefeated before losing by a point in the class 2A state title game.

"I just want to come in and win it," said the guard who averaged 18 points a game. "Even though it's an all-star game, and people don't take all-star games too seriously, I just want to win it. I take every game seriously."

Filer, who is going to prep school in the fall at Brewster Academy (in New Hampshire), is excited about his summer which includes being a member of the Indiana All-Star team.

"My season ended pretty bad (in a 43-42 loss to Indianapolis Park Tudor), but I'm hoping my summer doesn't end like my season did," Filer said.

Another Class 2A guard who knows all about the atmosphere at Indianapolis' Conseco Fieldhouse is Wheeler's Najee Bailey.

Bailey, who helped propel the Bearcats to a state title in 2010, is on the Black team coached by Lowell's Nate Richie.

"It's an honor, it feels good," Bailey said of the all-star game. "I just want to go out there and do my best."

The 6-3 player who averaged 18.5 points a game, thinks that winning could come down to the little things.

Brown is looking forward to the fun nature of the event, but knows that it'll be a fight. Brown's Cardinals lost to Munster in the Class 4A sectional championship. Now, he'll again lead the Cardinals trio of Donta Brown, Jerrick Ware, and Anthony Williams against a pair of Mustangs (Brian Stolarz and Rick Carbajal).

"We're in April, it doesn't matter who's on the team, I just want to come out and have fun with the kids," Brown said.

"I know (both team's players are) going to come out and be all fun and games in the beginning, then they'll buckle down for bragging rights."

Richie said the event is another example of the rich talent base in the region.

"It showcases all the talent that's embedded in Northwest Indiana," he said.

The first-year Red Devils coach knows a lot of the players from his former AAU coaching days with the Caps All-Stars.

"I couldn't pass it up, a lot of these guys I know from AAU," he said.

Right before the start of the Seniors game will be a 3-point contest. Then at halftime of the nightcap will be a dunk contest.

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