PREP HOOPS: Youth-in-Action event features local teams at Garrett Coliseum

Mike Curry and the Catholic Knights face Cottage Hill as part of the Youth-in-Action Showcase Saturday at Garrett Coliseum. (Tim Gayle)

By TIM GAYLE

Catholic and Cottage Hill Christian were two of the top boy’s basketball programs in the state last year and Saturday’s matchup between the two will be a focus for some high school basketball fans in the state. 

“I’m not really concerned about that,” Catholic coach Mike Curry said. “My thing is we’re getting a chance to play in a good environment against some good competition and we need to see what level we need to compete at to compete in the postseason.”

Ready or not, the Catholic boys will be thrust into the spotlight on Saturday at the Youth-N-Action High School Basketball Showcase at Garrett Coliseum. The event, a brainchild of Pierre and Rashad Mayes’ organization, will feature some of the area’s top local talent against other teams throughout the state in a one-day event. Admission is $20 for an all-day pass. 

“They’re highlighting some of the schools in the city,” Curry said. “We’re just happy to be a part of it. We’re getting a chance to play a very good team.”

Cottage Hill features one of the state’s top players in forward Trent Thomas. Catholic, meanwhile, will go into the contest still uncertain of the status of point guard LJ Green, who is recovering from an ankle injury sustained in football, and power forward T.J. Dudley, who will be playing with the Alabama all-stars on Saturday in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic.

For the rest of his players, Curry enjoys the opportunity to participate in a game at Garrett Coliseum, giving his new players a chance to play a game at the site of the Southeast Regional in February.

“If we’re lucky enough to get back to a regional, we will have been over there,” Curry said. “Some of the guys on the roster have already played over there, but for some other guys it will be an opportunity to experience that. More importantly, it’s the competition.”

YOUTH-N-ACTION

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL SHOWCASE

When: Saturday

Where: Garrett Coliseum

Admission: $20

11:30 a.m. -- Keith vs. Jeff Davis

1 p.m. -- Valiant Cross vs. Success Unlimited

2:30 p.m. -- Cottage Hill vs. Catholic

4 p.m. -- Midfield vs. Greenville

5:30 p.m. -- Fairfield vs. Robert E. Lee

7 p.m. -- Dothan vs. Park Crossing

8:30 p.m. -- Paul Bryant vs. G.W. Carver