Ertel leads Indiana All-Stars past Junior squad in 105-100 victory
Luke Ertel recorded 20 points and 10 assists as the Indiana All-Stars edged the Junior All-Stars, while Jason Gardner Jr. posted a game-high 21 points for the opposing side.
The Indiana All-Stars secured a 105-100 victory over the Indiana Junior All-Stars in a high school basketball exhibition held on Wednesday night at Mt. Vernon High School in Fortville, Indiana. Luke Ertel, the Indiana Mr. Basketball and Purdue commit, led the senior squad with 20 points, 10 assists, and six rebounds, while Jason Gardner Jr., also a Purdue commit, recorded a game-high 21 points for the juniors. The senior team will next face the Kentucky All-Stars in a doubleheader in Lexington, Kentucky, on Friday and Saturday.
Key absences for the seniors included Brennan Miller and Cameron Webster, who were attending graduation, and Kai McGrew, who was sidelined by a foot injury sustained during Tuesday’s practice. Despite these omissions, the All-Stars maintained control through efficient playmaking. Ertel shot 2-for-9 from three-point range but was credited with strong court vision, a trait teammate Brady Scholl attributed to Ertel’s background as a quarterback until his sophomore year.
Scholl contributed 17 points on 7-for-9 shooting, while Crown Point’s Dikembe Shaw scored 18 points despite foul trouble. Indiana All-Stars coach Todd Woelfle noted that the smaller Junior lineup exposed vulnerabilities in drive-and-kick situations, leading to open three-point shots for the juniors. However, Woelfle praised the senior team’s effort and attitude, stating that the victory allows the squad to focus on upcoming challenges without immediate pressure.
For the Junior All-Stars, Cooper Zachary added 17 points, including late three-pointers to keep the game close, while Harper Baker-Lands scored 13 points and Isaiah Hill added 12 points. Gardner Jr. described the matchup as highly competitive, noting that Ertel’s defensive intensity pushed his own performance. The juniors faced a size disadvantage but managed to keep the contest tight until the final minutes.
The event served as a final home appearance for Ertel before the team travels to Kentucky. Mt. Vernon coach Joe Bradburn assisted Woelfle’s coaching staff, and local player Max Vise competed for the Junior All-Stars, linking the home community to the exhibition. The senior team will look to address the defensive lapses identified by Woelfle when they compete against the Kentucky All-Stars later this week.
