Strebeck taking game across border

Layne Strebeck is getting a new group of teammates this weekend.

Strebeck, a 6-foot-4 senior, is one of two local players heading to Canyon, Texas, today for the Golden Spread All-Star Games, which run through Saturday at the First United Bank Center.

“I think it’s going to be a great experience getting to play with a lot of good guys,” said Strebeck, who averaged eight points and six rebounds for the Class 5A runnerup Wildcats. “There’s a lot of talented guys, a lot of fun guys.”

He will be joined on the West squad by Courtland Luscombe, who helped lead Texico to the Class 2A title.

The West plays tonight against the East squad in a 8 p.m. (CDT) game, and the North and South squads will face off Friday at 8 p.m. Saturday features an 8 p.m. championship and a 3 p.m. third-place game.

Strebeck won’t be joined by fellow Clovis senior Jaden Isler, who opted out due to health concerns following his March 27 collapse at a softball game in Canyon.

Isler has since had a defibrillator placed in his chest, and still plans to play college basketball at Charleston Southern University. Even though Jaden and his father, Clovis coach J.D. Isler will be in the stands to support Strebeck, the forward said it will be an odd feeling playing with another point guard.

“I’ve not played many basketball games in my career without Jaden,” Strebeck said. “Everywhere we go, we play together. I always knew what Jaden was thinking. Without him, it’s going to be a different experience.”

Coach Isler was glad Strebeck got the chance to play in an all-star game like Golden Spread because he was afraid selection committees tend to focus on gaudy statistics.

“He’s so versatile,” Isler said. “He can score inside, he can score outside. Layne’s such a great teammate, he’s the type of player that makes everyone else better. He’ll fit in great in an all-star setting.”

The Islers, Strebeck plus Clovis senior Bryce Hill will be reunited this summer for the Class 4A-5A North-South All-Star Game. The game is scheduled for July 31 at The Pit in Albuquerque.