The Region team will have a decided Coeur d'Alene High - and ex-Viking - flavor for the 21st annual Jack Blair Memorial High School All-Star Girls Basketball Classic.

The game is scheduled for June 3 at 7:30 p.m. at University High in Spokane Valley.

The starting five from Coeur d'Alene's state 5A title team, all seniors - Sydney Williams, Brittany Tackett, Madison Sumner, Sara Chalich and Sydni Parker - are on the Region team. So is Erin Higbie, a junior at West Valley High, who played at Coeur d'Alene two years ago before transferring.

Ron Adams, promoter of the game and director of the Spokane Stars AAU girls basketball club, said Williams is "the only true center between the two teams. They're going to have to deal with her," he added of the University of San Diego signee.

The Metro team consists of all-Greater Spokane League players. The Region team consists of North Idaho players and girls elsewhere in eastern Washington.

Adams called Chandler Smith of Brewster, who has signed with Nebraska, as "one of the best players in the country." The 6-0 Smith, daughter of Brewster boys basketball legend Dale Smith, picked the Cornhuskers over Stanford, Gonzaga and Washington State.

Adams said Jessie Loera of Moses Lake is "one of the top three sophomore guards in the country."

The five Coeur d'Alene players are the only Idaho kids on the Region team. Adams said Madi Farrell of Lake City, who played in last year's game, and Hailey Olin of Sandpoint were both invited, but could not play because of conflicts.

Of the 6-foot Higbie, the co-MVP of the Great Northern League, Adams said, "She's a terrific rebounder - plays real big inside for her size. Tenacious rebounder - competes her tail off."

The Metro is led by Otiono Gildon, a 6-foot junior from Gonzaga Prep, the MVP of the GSL and first-team all-state.

"The Metro's going to be favored - they can flat-out shoot the ball," Adams said. "These are not good shooters, these are great shooters."

Notes: The Metro has won 18 of the 20 games in the series, but the Region has won two of the last five meetings, including a 74-64 victory last year at Post Falls. Smith, who scored 15 points, was named the game's MVP. ... Tickets are $6 for adults, $5 for seniors and kids, and free for age 7 and under. ... Adams reminds fans that players will be available for autographs and photos from 6:30 to 7 p.m. only - after that, they won't be available until after the game.

Shyla Carr, 5-8, jr., Shadle Park; Hannah Caudill, 5-7, sr., Gonzaga Prep; Ashlyn Lewey, 6-0, sr., Mead; Laura Stockton, 5-8, jr., Gonzaga Prep; McKenzie Peterson, 5-8, sr., University. Delany Junkermier, 6-0, sr., Mead; Madison Hovren, 6-0, jr., Central Valley; Brittney Johnson, 5-7, sr., Ferris; Otiona Gildon, 6-0, jr., Gonzaga Prep; Oona Harrington, 6-0, jr., Gonzaga Prep; Sue Winger, 6-1, jr., Mead; Riley Lupfer, 5-9, so., Lewis and Clark; Mariah Cunningham, 6-1, sr., Central Valley; Brianna King, sr., North Central. Coach: Mike Arte, Gonzaga Prep.

REGION

Jessie Loera, 5-7, so., Moses Lake; Alex Rankin, 5-8, sr., East Valley; Sara Chalich, 5-6, sr., Coeur d'Alene; Madison Sumner, 5-7, sr., Coeur d'Alene; Natalie Noble, 5-7, jr., West Valley; Jenna Moser, 5-5, sr., Colton; Sydni Parker, 5-6, sr., Coeur d'Alene; Chandler Smith, 6-0, sr., Brewster; Erin Higbie, 6-0, jr., West Valley; Emily Drake, 5-9, so., Pullman; Brittany Tackett, 6-0, sr., Coeur d'Alene; Sydney Williams, 6-2, sr., Coeur d'Alene. Coach: Dale Poffenroth, Coeur d'Alene.