Rockdale Citizen

COVINGTON - Newton basketball coach Rick Rasmussen is putting his Rams shirt aside as he gets the Newton Senior All-Star team ready to take on the Rockdale Senior All-Star team in a college-style matchup April 16 at the Newton gym."We're going to play two, 20-minutes halves, Rasmussen said."Since they're seniors and no longer eligible under (Georgia High School Association) rules, they can play under college rules."The reason that only seniors are playing in the all-star game is because under GHSA rules, only players that have exhausted their high school eligibility can play in an all-star game.However, Rasmussen said that even with that, the fun for the players and fans will not be lessened.The team will have up to four players from each school to make up the 10- to 12-player team.Rasmussen was solicited about the Rockdale-Newton All-Star game by Rockdale coach Alvin Williams.One reason for the game is to give college scouts one more look at the seniors that have not been signed by a college. "It's a good opportunity to get exposure," Rasmussen said. "Any college coach or scout that comes will be admitted free."Before the 7 p.m. tipoff, there will also be 3-point shooting and dunking competitions starting at 6 p.m.The cost will be $5 for adults and $3 for children under 10.Williams, by virtue of winning the county basketball championship, will head the Rockdale team. The coaches from Salem and Heritage assisting.Helping Rasmussen on the bench will be Alcovy head coach Eugene Brown and Eastside head coach Michael Gerald."It's good to see unity in the county rather than seeing a county rival all the time," Rasmussen said.Manny Fils can be reached at manny.fils@newtoncitizen.com.