FORT WAYNE | When Indiana All-Star coach Ron Hecklinski of Anderson spoke with Bowman Academy coach Marvin Rea about the prospects of Tyrae Robinson making the roster of Indiana's best seniors back in April, Hecklinski asked one simple question.
"How will he be if he doesn't get a lot of playing time?" Rea recalled. "Because when they were putting this team together they were not sure how much time Tyrae would get."
At Monday night's Indiana All-Star exhibition against the Junior All-Stars at Fort Wayne Luers, the only question about the 6-foot-2 guard's playing time was who would give the Eagles standout a break.
At the end of the first half, Robinson tossed an over-the-head alley-oop to New Albany's Donnie Hale for a thunderous dunk before the buzzer, giving Indiana a 64-44 halftime lead in an eventual 125-89 laugher. Robinson had seven first-half points to go along with three assists and two rebounds and finished with 11 points, three rebounds and four assists.
It was one of many phenomenal plays for the state champion and Ball State-bound Robinson.
"I knew it on my own," Robinson said of him not being high on the list when the team was put together two months ago. "Everything is political, you know how it is. I just have to handle my own business.
"I have to represent my city, Gary, Indiana, and my boys at Bowman."
After finishing much of his Eagles' last four postseason games on the bench in foul trouble, Robinson was pleased with the more loose officiating of the All-Star experience.
"We've been in the gym, working hard, for two days," Robinson said. "We're working hard trying to get the chemistry. Everyone's brought me into the team. It feels real good to put this uniform on and play with these guys."
The Luers gym was cold, with air conditioning making it seem like a football Friday night. E.C. Central's Michael Harris said he was shivering during warmups and cold with his shooting touch.
But Harris nailed three 3-pointers in the opening 20 minutes on his way to 11 first-half points and went on to post 15 points, two boards and two assists for the seniors.
"I was cold at first," Harris said. "But when I get out there I just have to be ready. I was open, I caught the ball and the first shot went in. It felt good and got me going. This is a real fun win. We've got some big-name recruits and it's fun to play with these guys."
South Central's Jake Kitchell scored two points and grabbed six rebounds. He also had four assists. There were seven seniors in double-figure scoring, led by Luers' Deshaun Thomas, who scored 25 points and grabbed 15 rebounds.
Lew Wallace's Branden Dawson led the juniors with 18 points and 10 boards.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Indiana All-Stars 125, Junior All-Stars 89
Deshaun Thomas had a game-high 25 points and 15 rebounds for the senior squad.
