AURORA | A profile look at Smoky Hill sophomore Kenny Foster, who is set to play for Team East in the second A-Town All-Star Boys Game set for March 18, 2017, at Cherokee Trail High School. The boys game is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. or immediately following the girls game that begins at 3 p.m. (buy tickets in advance: bit.ly/ATOWN2017):
Courtney Oakes is Aurora Sentinel Sports Editor. Reach him at 303-750-7555 or sports@aurorasentinel.com. Twitter: @aurorasports. FB: Aurora Prep Sentinel
Boys A-Town All-Star Game returns after strong debut
KENNY FOSTER
School: Smoky Hill High School
Year: Junior
Height: 6-foot-5
2016-17 averages: 17.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.6 steals per game
Season highlights: The Smoky Hill boys basketball team turned in perhaps the most significant one-season improvement in the state of Colorado, as coach Anthony Hardin’s team rebounded from a four-win season to 16 wins and a trip to the Class 5A Sweet 16 in the 2016-17 season. Injuries and inexperience contributed to last season’s struggles, but the Buffaloes put those things behind them and took off in the new season, keeping the majority of their players on the floor for the whole season and playing the type of basketball that few other teams could keep up with. Smoky Hill had incredible depth and balance — seven different players led the team in scoring in at least one game — but sophomore Kenny Foster was the glue that brought it all together. With size at 6-foot-5, strong handles, shooting range and a penchant for getting to the free throw line, Foster was one of the most difficult players to deal with and played at an All-Centennial League first team level. He led Smoky Hill with an average of 17.1 points per game, was second in rebounding at 6.3 boards per contest and led the team with a mark of 4.3 assists per game. The only freshman to play in the A-Town All-Star Game last season, Foster will play on Team East in the second A-Town All-Star Boys Game.
Foster vs. Aurora teams: vs. Hinkley (15 points, 8 rebounds, 4 steals); vs. Rangeview (21 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals); vs. Cherokee Trail (21 points, 10 rebounds, 9 assists; 19 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists); vs. Grandview (26 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists; 21 points, 3 assists); vs. Overland (14 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals; 24 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists); vs. Eaglecrest (21 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals; 8 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists)
