AISD’s MOC to host first annual GHABCA All-Star Game

The M.O. Campbell Center will host the first annual Adidas Greater Houston Area Basketball Coaches Association (GHABCA) All-Star Game, set for April 20.

The announcement was made at a press conference on March 4 at the MOC by GHABCA President Steve Buckelew, who also serves as the head basketball coach at Pearland High School.

”We wanted a first-class facility to hold our inaugural game, and the Campbell Center is definitely that,” he said.

The game will pit the top 40 players from the Houston area in two games, as the North will take on the South and the East will take on the West. Aldine ISD will be represented on the North squad by Aldine High’s Domonic Williams, a 6-3 senior who averaged 13 points and 12 rebounds per game this past season.

The game will also feature four of the Houston area’s all-time winningest coaches as well. University Interscholastic League (UIL) prohibits current coaches from coaching in the game, so the GHABCA called on four retirees who all have impressive resumes.

Former Houston Madison coach Paul Benton will coach the North squad. Benton compiled a 749-318 record during his 33 years as a head coach. His 1985 Madison team finished 40-0 en route to the state championship.

The South squad will be led by former Clear Lake coach Bill Krueger, who compiled a 1,096-250 record during his 37-year tenure as a head coach. Krueger retired following the 1995-96 season as the winningest boys’ high school basketball coach in the nation. He took Clear Lake to the state tournament three times.

Leading the East squad will be former Port Arthur Lincoln coach James Gamble, who compiled a 670-226 record during his 28 years at PAL. Gamble led Lincoln to three Class 4A state titles and one Class 5A state title during his illustrious career.

Don Coleman, who compiled an 890-332 record during his 34-year coaching career, will lead the West squad. Coleman coached at Aldine High School from 1958-62, where he forged a 104-64 record before moving on to Memorial High in 1963.

Coleman retired in 1992 after 16 district titles, four trips to the state tournament and one state title in 1966.

Admission is free, but those attending can make a donation of canned food items, which will go to the Houston Food Bank, or make a cash donation to the GHABCA scholarship fund.

For more information, contact Aldine ISD’s athletic department at 281-985-6100.