Kootenai High senior Ben Whipple probably isn't going to score 40 points in today's North-South high school boys basketball all-star game at North Idaho College.

But he's going to have fun trying to.

Whipple averaged 11 points, three rebounds and four assists this year for the 1A Division II Warriors, who are in the state's smallest classification. Whipple was selected to the 10th annual all-star game, scheduled for today at 3:30 p.m.

"I'm really honored to be chosen," Whipple said. "I couldn't believe it at first, but it's a nice way to end my four years of playing high school basketball."

Whipple, a 6-foot wing, was an all-North Star League selection this season.

"He's a smart player," Kootenai boys basketball coach Doug Napierala said. "He's got a good outside shot and knows when to shoot the ball and when to drive. He reads the defense pretty good and understands the game really well. He's not going to be the guy to drop 40 a night and get double-doubles, but he'll silently get you. His knowledge of the game is great and ability to produce when he needs to produce on the court."

Kootenai has qualified for state all four years that Whipple has been on the varsity team. He played sparingly as a freshman, quite a bit as a sophomore, and has started the past two seasons.

"I think going down (to state) was huge for him as a freshman," Napierala said. It was huge for him to experience that because it instilled the drive to get better and want to succeed."

Whipple is the first boys player from Kootenai High to be selected to the game. Former Kootenai High standout and current St. Maries track coach Tony Kraack was named an alternate in 2005.

His first three seasons at Kootenai, Ben was coached by his father, Andrew. This season, he got a chance to share the floor with his younger brother, Jesse, who is a freshman.

“It’s been really special,” Ben said. “We really got the chance to bond the last couple of years and as a team we clicked really well the last two years.”

Playing for his dad, Whipple added, had its moments.

“It was kind of a love/hate relationship,” Ben said. “It was great to play for him, but also kind of stressful and trying to impress him. I was kind of disappointed when he resigned, but kept on playing my final two years. Without him, I wouldn’t be as good as I am today.”

Ben added that when his father was an assistant coach at Moscow High, he’d take him to practice and let him watch his teams prepare for games.

“I always looked forward to playing for him someday,” Ben said. “It was a real honor to get the chance to do that.”

Whipple has applied to West Point, but has also received scholarships to Boise State and Idaho to enroll in their ROTC programs.

“I’m trying now, but haven’t been medically cleared yet,” said Whipple, who previously suffered seizures from a head injury seven years ago. “I also have some scholarships or could just go to the West Point Prep School for a year.”

His father served in the Army National Guard for 20 years, including a deployment to Iraq from 2004 to ’05 — before retiring last year.

“He’s a great kid,” Napierala said. “He’s really a joy to be around.”

Should he get selected to attend West Point, Whipple intends to attempt to walk on at West Point.

“He’d really have to work on his game,” Napierala said. “But if it’s a great desire for him to do it — he’d put the time in to give his best effort.”

Of the other players on the North roster, Whipple has only played with Austin Linnemeyer of St. Maries during summer basketball, as well as against Garret Wendt of Kellogg and Johnny Hayden of Timberlake.

“It will be great,” Whipple said. “Austin is a great passer and should be great because I basically roam around the 3-point line. Austin can pass the ball like crazy, and so can Johnny.”

In his first week of track practice, Whipple sprained his ankle.

“I’m kind of nervous, but hopefully it gets better in time,” Whipple said. “I might be more nervous that I might be a little rusty, but I know it’s going to be really fun. Some of these guys I’ve been reading about in the paper and it’s going to be great to play with them and against them. It’s kind of an honor to be chosen.”

UPDATED IDAHO STATE ALL-STAR GAME ROSTERS

Garret Wendt, Kelogg; Ben Whipple, Kootenai; Matt Horne, Lakeland; Riley Moreen, Lake City; Drew Hocking, Lake City; Sam Heitzman, Lewiston (injured); Dane Randall, Moscow; Kyle Snyder, Moscow; Keaton Corr, Post Falls; Warren Joiner, St. Maries; Johnny Hayden, Timberlake; Jared Moore, Coeur d’Alene; Austin Linnemeyer, St. Maries. Coach — Tony Hanna, Timberlake.

Cody Spjute, Borah; McKay Jones, Centennial; Mitch Orne, Firth; Clark Wilkinson, Highland; Rafa Hewett-Steiger, Lewiston; Blake Phippen, Hillcrest; Tanner Percifield, Mountain View; Nate Bruneel, Rocky Mountain; McKay Cannon, Shelley; Lane Robbins, Skyview. Alternates — Daryl Robertson, Centennial. Coach — Dave Hadley, Shelley.

Aubrie Vale, Burley; Caelyn Orlandi, Coeur d’Alene; Kendalyn Brainard, Coeur d’Alene (injured); Lexi Turkenburg, Coeur d’Alene Charter; Josie Coder, Lakeland; Kassie Torres, Lake City; Natahnee Spencer, Lapwai; Katie King, Post Falls; Brooke Litalien, Post Falls; Hallie Gennett, Post Falls; Danielle Failor, Post Falls; Steffie Pavey, Priest River; Jenna Hoffman, Timberlake. Alternate — Melissa Trost, Priest River. Coach — Marc Allert, Post Falls.

Kindall Murie, Bishop Kelly; Maddie Skaggs, Boise; Liz Landreth, Capital; Charley Bingham, Dietrich; McClain Williams, Eagle; Dylan Gonzalez, Highland; Dakota Gonzalez, Highland; Jane Hansen, Madison; Holly Blades, Meridian; Celeste Pantoja, Middleton; Mikayla Harris, Twin Falls. Coach — Cal DeHaas, North Idaho College.