New vs. old for Gonzaga

Three of the four members of Gonzaga University’s latest recruiting class are scheduled to play against a team of former local college standouts, including graduating GU seniors Blake Stepp and Cory Violette, in the Barnstormin’ Tour all-star basketball game that will be held on Saturday, May 15, at Spokane Falls Community College.

Bulldogs recruits David Pendergraft, Josh Heytvelt and Pierre Marie Altidor Cespedes have accepted invitations to participate, and will be joined by several other local high school standouts, including West Valley’s Jon Jeffreys, on the high school all-star team.

The college all-stars will be led by Stepp, Violette and former University of Oregon star Luke Jackson. Tony Skinner and Kyle Bankhead, two more seniors on this year’s Bulldogs team that finished 28-3, are also on the college all-stars roster, along with Whitworth College’s career scoring leader Brian Depew and former GU defensive specialist Mike Nilson.

Pendergraft, a 6-foot-6, 230-pounder from Brewster, said he is looking forward to the matchup.

“It’ll be a big thing for us,” he said of the chance to play against the college players. “That’s a scary team they’ve got, especially with Luke Jackson coming in, too.”

Heytvelt, a 6-10, 220-pounder from Clarkston, said he will attend the game for sure, but added he is still not certain he will play because of a shoulder injury he suffered in a recent dodge ball game during a physical education class.

“It’s my right shoulder, but I can still shoot and everything,” explained Heytvelt, who was named the Greater Spokane League’s most valuable player this winter. “The physical therapist said it wasn’t anything serious, but recommended against banging and bumping around with it too much.”

Cespedes, a 6-1 guard from Montreal, is due to arrive for summer school the day before the all-star game and has agreed to play.

The SFCC gym holds 3,800, and event organizers said they have already sold more than 1,000 tickets.

The cost of tickets is $25 for lower-level seats and $10 for upper-level seats. Tickets on either level can be purchased at Spokane Athletic Supply, 307 E. Sprague, and Jack and Dan’s Tavern, 1226 N. Hamilton. In addition, upper-level-only seats will go on sale today at all area Les Schwab Tire Centers.