Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 7 January 2005 — Page 8

A SECTION FRIDAY, JANUARY 7, 2005

The Recorder JAWS section (Journalism and Writing Seminars) is a nonprofit instructional program established through The Recorder Charities to provide students of color (interns) hands on training and exposure to the field of journalism. The goal is to encourage participants to pursue careers in journalism.

North Central team beats Detroit high school

By Jared Goodloe Pike High School Recorder Intern

On Dec. 28th, 10 high school basketball teams came together to battle it out. The games were played on the campus of Butler University at Hinkle Fieldhouse. The games provided an opportunity to showcasethetalentsof many high school students and the net proceeds went to the Indiana Black Expo Circle City Classic Scholarship program. Many students from area high schools in Indiana ranged from Eric Gordon of North Central High School to Josh

McRoberts of Carmel High School.

Among the many of students in the game, sophomore Gordon along with Steven Gambles and the North Central team helped to bring North Central a victory. Gordon, one of the best point guards in the state, had a total of 30 points in that single game. "He (Gordon) has a lot of talent and he is using it well, he just needs to keep working at it and he will be a top player all around and go on to college and hopefully more,” stated Cheryl Baker. Many fans believed that Eric had a strong game. Gambles also pressed strongly to help bring North Central into victory. "I came out forcing shots but later on in the game I think, I settled down and let it come to me. My team really helped me. They worked hard on pressing and got it down,” stated Gambles. The visiting team, Detroit Martin Luther King Jr. High School, also pressed strongly throughout the game to compete to be the champion for the Challenge of Champions.

The coach from King Jr. High School felt that it was an honor to attend the Challenge of Champions. "I feel excited. I still do. I think that it is a wonderful event. I feel that it is a privilege for anyone who participates in it," said Benny White, the head coach of Martin Luther King Jr. High School. Many players on King Jr. High School's team didn't know about Gordon and his playing abilities before coming into the game. "I didn't know anything about him. I have never heard of him until today. He is pretty good," said Curtis Stevens, a senior on the Detroit team. With North Central winning, there are still goals that head coach Doug Mitchell would still like to reach. "Our goal for the season is to try to compete for a state championship, that is what we want to do next," Mitchell said. The game ended with a score of 60 for North Central and 55 for Detroit Martin Luther King Jr. High School.

Basketball challenge showcases high school talent

By Alyse Robinson Broad Ripple High School Recorder Intern The Challenge of the Champions Basketball Showcase was just an idea, but now it's a well-known scholar- . K ' ship opportunity. 5 What started out as just an idea in 2000 between Tony Mason and the late Rev. Charles Williams, has now established a statewide,

regional and national reputation for showcasing some of the best high school teams and talent in the nation. Mason, executive director of the Circle City Classic, says “The CCC network and I are proud and excited about the future and hope it will become a multiple day event." The teams are chosen with the goal to match Indiana teams with the best teams we can invite in the Midwest. The selection process can go no farther than 300 miles from the border of Indiana, picking the best team with the best players.

Marcel Bonds of the CCC staff feels "it's given the kids the opportunity to play talent from all over the Midwest." He continues, "As long as we can continue to get community support, I think this event will continue and be looked at as one of the best events in the Midwest for the high school students. Tony Mason, Tony McGee and the Circle City Classic has made it go as well as it has. We are looking forward to many years of continuing the showcase." Since the first showcase the attendance has skyrocketed. The first game

had an attendance of 3,000. The second had an attendance of 7,000, while the game in December of last year had an attendance of 8,000. Many feel the trend will continue and carry on for many years. Tiffany Turner of the CCC staff says, "I think it's a wonderful event. I think the Circle City Classic has done a great job providing other avenues for young people as well as education and athletics. CCC has built a name for itself, that's why I feel that the showcase will last for many years to come."

Fans have positive reaction to basketball challenge

By Oreanna Crain

Arsenal Technical High School

Recorder Intern

of the red team is, No. 23," 38-year-old Ryan Eblan said about North Central Panther Eric

Gordon.

Participating players on the court were not

As you looked the only out-of-town guests. If you think that into the crowd people wouldn't travel out of town to see high you could see fa- school basketball, think again. There were cial expressions many visitors traveling out of Indiana state

from various age lines to view the games,

groups. It's clear Jane Forte, 19, of Fort Wayne said, "It is that this high worth the travel to come and watch good

school basketball talent and have a Qood time -"

event reached out The audience could not think of hardly any to more than just downfalls of the event. Most in attendance the teen-age praisedthejoboftheCircleCity Classic event

planners.

"The price for the tickets is a little high, but and old traveled that's the only change I would say," Forte to Butler sa idUniversity's When compared to other high school basHinkle Fieldhouse ketball games, some fans felt that this event to witness the was more entertaining. Some fans might ask what was so different ball Showcase hosted bythe Circle City Classic about this high school basketball game than organization. High school basketball players any other one? "This game is different in some ways than a regular high school basketball game. With Spectators from all walks of life packed the this event you get to see talent from places other than the nearby schools," said Jarrod

jster.

From the talk among the fans, it’s easy to