Gardner Jr. Shines with 30 Points, Guides Indiana Junior All-Stars to Victory Over Kentucky

CHARLESTOWN – Coaches often suggest that passing the ball is a quicker way to advance it up the court than dribbling, yet even seasoned strategists might rethink that after witnessing Jason Gardner Jr.'s performance. The Fishers High School star, who had a significant part of his junior season sidelined due to a broken left hand, was determined to reclaim his time on the court. On Sunday, he delivered an impressive 30 points and dished out six assists, leading the Indiana Junior All-Stars to a 109-99 victory against the Kentucky Junior All-Stars at Charlestown High School.

"I’ve been playing with a lot of these kids for a long time," Gardner shared, highlighting the chemistry among his teammates. “Me and Cooper (Zachary) have been playing together since like second grade and Harper (Baker-Lands) and Isaiah (Hill) since third or fourth grade ... this team actually knows each other really well, so we were able to pull through.”

Indiana jumped ahead early, establishing a commanding 25-9 lead with contributions from Gardner Jr. and Zachary, along with Baker-Lands, Hill, and Mt. Vernon's Max Vise. However, Kentucky displayed remarkable grit, narrowing the gap to just 60-53 by halftime. They briefly took a 76-75 lead with 13 minutes left in the game and remained competitive, trailing just 91-90 with under seven minutes to go.

Indiana responded with an 8-0 run, featuring four points from Gardner and a pivotal basket from Zachary, allowing them to solidify their lead and extend their winning streak against Kentucky to three games. The win improved Indiana's overall record to 10-5 against Kentucky since the series began in 2012. Baker-Lands contributed significantly with 19 points and four steals, while Hill, a 7-foot Purdue recruit, added 15 points and seven rebounds. Vise also made his mark with 17 points on 7-of-8 shooting, and Zachary finished with 11 points and five assists.

This matchup was particularly special for Gardner Jr. and Zachary, as it was their first opportunity to play together since the conclusion of the high school season. Gardner Jr. had returned from his injury to participate in the sectional but faced a disappointing end as the top-ranked Fishers team was upset by Carmel in the sectional championship. With new coaching dynamics in place, Gardner Jr. expressed optimism about the upcoming season, stating, “(Monday) we have our first June practice, so that will be good to start off.”

Montez Gay, a 6-6 junior from George Rogers Clark, led Kentucky's efforts with 20 points and five rebounds, supported by Omari Jointer and Matthew Langhi, who each added 17 points. Kentucky showcased impressive shooting, hitting 63% from inside the arc and 8-for-25 from three-point range. Overall, both teams exhibited outstanding play, contributing to an engaging all-star contest.

The Indiana All-Star festivities continue with the Futures Games on Monday at New Palestine, followed by the Junior All-Stars facing the senior Indiana All-Stars on Wednesday at Mt. Vernon.