Practices Get Under Way Tonight for All-Star Basketball Squads

Practice begins at 7 tonight for the North and South boys’ basketball teams that will participate in the Orange County All-Star game April 27 at Saddleback College.

North Coach Richard Smith will hold workouts tonight, Wednesday and Thursday at Servite High School and continue daily workouts on Monday.

“We have some players currently competing in baseball and track, so I’ll meet with the team after (tonight’s) practice and work out a schedule that suits the players best,” Smith said.

It’s mandatory for the players to attend six practices.

Smith said his first priority would be determining whether to play Loara’s Tes Whitlock at point guard or off guard. Whitlock, who signed with Arizona State last week, established a county scoring record with 68 points against Saddleback in the Irvine World News Tournament in December.

South Coach Tom McCluskey will hold workouts tonight, Wednesday and Thursday at Tustin High and continue practices on Monday.

McCluskey said the only player selected who will not compete is Marina’s All-American center Cherokee Parks. Parks competed in all-star games in Washington and Springfield, Mass., and cannot compete in a third all-star game under Southern Section rules.