All-Star weekend returns to Albany

ALBANY —All-Star Weekend is back where some of the best area high school basketball talent will put on a show in The Good Life City.

The event, hosted by Elite Sports & Marketing, is in its sixth season and this year boasts a more extensive list of activities showcasing talent in more than just basketball.

In addition to games featuring high school players of different classes, the weekend will also include performances by the Dougherty High School drum and dance line and a youth cheer, dance and step showcase. EJ Brown, the event’s primary coordinator, said an estimated 400 kids will be participating in the weekend’s festivities.

DJ Trip from 96.3 radio will provide the soundtrack for the weekend, and there will be a money machine available for lucky contestants to step into a booth and grab as much cash as they can in an allotted time.

The weekend kicks off with the Stop the Violence Community Heroes game featuring local professionals on Friday at 5:30 p.m.

Brown said the buzz being generated by the upcoming event has been incredible.

“All Star weekend has taken over social media in this area,” he said. “The kids are excited, parents are excited … it’s going to be a fun weekend.”

Brown said he’s already looking for ways to improve next year’s event. He said the goal is to be able to add more events so that they’ll have something for Sunday, making it a full weekend.

In terms of talent, the weekend has attracted players from Columbus, Macon and Dublin, so much that a boys “Super Sophomore Showcase” was added to feature what Brown said scouts are considering one of the best classes in Georgia.

With talent comes attention. Brown said various basketball media outlets will be in there, more than in previous years, and hopefully it will open some door for some players.

“For the first time, we’re going have about six media outlets coming to I guess, evaluate the kids participating,” he said. “The kids can end up getting invited to different showcase events, get invited to play for different AAU teams, so that’s one benefit among the many.”

While the ultimate goal is to garner attention for the student-athletes, Brown said he’s hoping the weekend also serves as a community bonding event, especially after the tragedies Albany has endured within the last few months.

“Considering what the city has gone through the past couple of months, I think it’ll be good for everybody to just come together, have fun and just enjoy one another,” he said. “We’re definitely going to donate some of the proceeds to various organizations.”

Friday starts with the Stop the Violence Community Heroes game and ends with the girls then boys “Rising Stars” game. All games will be held at the Albany State University West Campus gym.